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Prosecution rests case in Rankin murder trial

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WVEC) -- Opening statements in the trial of former Portsmouth police officer Stephen Rankin are set to begin today.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WVEC) -- Prosecution has rested it's case against former Portsmouth police officer Stephen Rankin after a little more than day's worth of testimony.

The judge, jury and attorneys visited the crime scene at a Portsmouth Walmart Friday morning where Rankin shot and killed William Chapman last year.

The prosecution called Gregory Provo, a loss prevention officer at Walmart who reported Chapman as a shoplifter, to the stand.

Provo followed Chapman out of the store and witnessed the scuffle between the 18-year-old and Rankin.

Provo testified he did not see Chapman lunge or charge Rankin. He said the teen did a "jab step" to scare Rankin.

Rankin was about 5 yards from the unarmed teen when he drew his weapon and shot Chapman twice.

During cross-examination, defense attorney James Broccoletti highlighted Chapman's refusal to obey Rankin's commands to get on the ground.

"Mr. Chapman never got on the ground," said Broccoletti. Provo replied, "correct."

Once the prosecution rested, defense attorneys moved to strike first and second degree murder charges, and argued the commonwealth's evidence "at best" points to voluntary manslaughter.

Chief Circuit Court Judge Johnny Morrison denied the motion.

The jury also saw video recordings from Rankin's taser. The first one showed what appeared to be a struggle.

The video stopped because Chapman hit the taser out of Rankin's hand, according to the defense.

After a 15 second gap, which includes the shooting, the taser continues recording and shows first responders arrive on scene.

In opening statements Thursday, Morales told the jury that she will prove Chapman had no drugs in his system when he was shot, and she asked that they not check their common sense at the door.

Defense attorney James Broccoletti then told the court that Rankin had no choice but to shoot Chapman. Broccoletti said that Rankin repeatedly told Chapman to get his hands out of his pockets, but Chapman wouldn't comply.

The defense claims that Rankin brought out his Taser, but lowered the level of electricity because Chapman was only a shop lifting suspect. According to the defense Chapman hit the Taser, causing it to fly 30 feet, and that was when Rankin turned from shoplifter to threat.

The defense told the court that Rankin did not shoot to kill only to stop the threat. Broccoletti then told the court how Rankin immediately performed CPR and could be heard saying "don't die on me. don't die on me."

After the opening statements, the 911 dispatcher took the stand for the prosecution.

CA Morales played the 911 call for the shoplifting at the Walmart, where Chapman was the suspect. Chapman's mother, Sallie Chapman, left the courtroom during the 911 call, she was in tears. She later returned to the courtroom.

Prosecution then called the Police Lieutenant, who responded to the shots fired call, to the stand.

Lieutenant Saucer told the court that when he saw the Taser on the ground that it was turned on.

An officer, that was later on the witness stand, told the court that Rankin's hands were shaking and blood was underneath his gloves after giving Chapman CPR.

Family and friends of Chapman have been demanding justice for over a year now. Protestors gathered outside of court holding signs that said "Black Lives Matter."

Rankin shot and killed Chapman outside of a Portsmouth Walmart on Frederick Boulevard in April of 2015. The now-former officer was responding to a shoplifting call at that store.

This is a developing story. Stay with 13News Now for more updates.

PHOTOS: Former officer Stephen Rankin murder trial

For live coverage of the trial, follow 13News Now Eric Kane's twitter at @13EricKane. Eric will be live tweeting the entire trial.

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