Judge denies motion to dismiss charge against police sergeant

By: Jasmine Turner, Reporter/Weekend Anchor

The trial for former Southport Police Officer Bryon Vassey will continue as scheduled.

Vassey and his defense team filed another motion in Brunswick County. This time it asked the court to dismiss his voluntary manslaughter charge for allegedly shooting and killing 18-year-old Keith Vidal.

Vidal suffered from schizophrenia. His family called 911 in January 2014 for assistance and when Vassey arrived, investigators say he shot Vidal in his Boiling Spring Lakes home.

Superior Court Judge Richard T. Brown denied Vassey's motion to dismiss the charge Tuesday, but he is considering a motion for a change of venue.

This comes a week after Vassey went back to Vidal's home for an examination of the crime scene, with his defense team, as outlined in a court order.

When Vassey and his legal team went to Vidal's family home, there was a sign on the door that read "Murder by a bad cop, you are not welcome here."

When Vassey got inside, there was a trail of footsteps leading to the spot where Vidal's family says he was shot.

Vidal's father and sister, Mark and Chelsea Wilsey, said they wanted Vassey to feel as uncomfortable as possible.

They said their rights were violated because Vassey was allowed back in their home. They waited at nearby gas station during the examination as law enforcement blocked off several perimeters to their home.

Vassey's trial is set to begin on April 18.