Wauwatosa police chief testifies in shooting death of Jay Anderson Jr.

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WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Wauwatosa's police chief, Barry Weber, took the stand and testified in the police shooting death of 25-year-old Jay Anderson Jr., who was shot and killed by Officer Joseph Mensah.

The shooting happened in 2016 in Madison Park.

Anderson's family says the officer approached him while he was sleeping in his car.

Mensah says he shot him because Anderson lunged towards a gun that was in the seat next to him.

As part of a recommendation letter that Weber wrote for Mensah in December, the chief said Anderson was armed at the time of the shooting.

However, during his testimony, the chief said Anderson never touched the gun during the incident.

"I considered Anderson armed. He had that weapon right next to him, within his reach, and was reaching for that weapon," Chief Weber said. "He was an armed subject, yes, and he refused to follow the officer's direction."

Mensah was involved in three different deadly shootings, all of which were found to be justified.

The court is now conducting a John Doe investigation after Anderson's family filed charges against Mensah.

Rather than having a jury, the judge will determine if a crime has been committed.

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