John Geer, standing in his doorway, minutes before he was shot by a Fairfax County Police officer. Photo courtesy of Michael Lieberman
Former Fairfax County police officer Adam Torres was charged with second-degree murder in August this year for shooting Springfield resident John Geer in August 2013. The trial was scheduled to begin on Dec. 14, but a continuance was recently granted to the defense, pushing it back until April 18, 2016.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh, prosecutor in the case, said the defense requested the continuance because of a material witness who was unavailable, and that they needed more preparation time.
“I had hoped to bring this case to a conclusion before Christmas, but these things happen,” Morrogh said in an email.
John F. Carroll, Torres’ attorney, did not respond to interview requests in time for print.
Geer’s father Don said he’s just anxious to see the attorneys “get it over with.”
“Every time something like this happens, it just brings back the memories,” Geer said. “It’s never going to disappear, you always have the thoughts. It’s hard to decide what you want to do on these things, like going to the trial. Do I want to hear the testimonies, relive this every time someone says something? Nothing will ever bring John back.”
The elder Geer is positive about work being done by the county as a result of his son’s case, including recommendations to the Board of Supervisors from an Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.
“There have been benefits,” he said. “It appears to me, that there’s change for the better.”