Mann Convicted In Deputy Shooting

SPOKANE — The man accused of shooting at a sheriff’s deputy near a east Spokane convenience store last winter has been found guilty of first degree assault.

Tuesday afternoon a jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts against Jason Mann, finding him guilty on charges of first degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of methaphamine, possession of deadly weapon and aggravating crime against a law enforcement officer.

Jason Mann took the witness stand in his own defense Monday and told the jury that a shooting involving Deputy Jeff Thurman was nothing more than an accident. Mann said he followed the deputy’s orders to drop the gun and it accidentally went off.

Mann confirmed he had a gun in his pocket the night he was pulled over at a convenience store and then fled on foot with Deputy Jeff Thurman pursuing him. However Deputy Thurman said Mann pointed his gun at him from his hiding spot and that’s when Thurman opened fire.

Deputy Thurman said that when Mann said he was ready to surrender he fired at him again. Mann, on the other hand, says the gun went off accidentally when he threw it to the ground.

The deputy returned fire and wounded Mann.

In court Monday it was also revealed that Mann, a convicted felon, purchased the gun from a friend a few days before the shooting.

At the time of the shooting he was also carrying brass knuckles and $200 worth of methamphetamine.