LEBANON, Tenn. - A former police officer who led a drug raid on the wrong house that resulted in the death of an innocent man has been indicted by a grand jury.
Steve Nokes was charged Friday with criminal responsibility for reckless homicide, tampering with evidence and aggravated perjury.
John Adams, 64, was shot and killed Oct. 4 when five officers burst into his home and Adams fired at them with a sawed-off shotgun, according to police.
Police had intended to raid the home next door. Adams' wife, Lorine, said her husband had thought he was the victim of a break-in.
Nokes was fired after the incident and three other officers were placed on administrative leave.
Prosecutors said it was Nokes' fault that officers entered the wrong house. They said Nokes, who didn't enter the house, also lied on the affidavit to get a search warrant for the raid.
Adams was black, and Nokes and two of the officers on administrative leave are white.
The incident outraged the victim's family and other blacks in the community, and the mayor appointed a citizens review board to investigate.
Nokes was released on bail. District Attorney General Tommy Thompson said the officers on administrative leave will not face criminal charges.
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