Prosecutors won't file charges in officer's death


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A man charged in a high-speed chase will not face charges in the death of an officer who crashed his car during the pursuit.

William Farris Fisher faces several charges in the Nov. 3 chase, including felony charges of fleeing and evading, possession of methamphetamine, identity theft, possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of stolen property.

But Davis County Deputy Attorney Steve Major says Fisher won't face charges in the death of North Salt Lake police officer Charles Skinner because, legally speaking, Skinner was responding as a backup and was actually not involved in the chase itself.

"Those type of things are just not, they're just not close enough in time and action to the scene of the accident or the crime that really makes it that we could charge anything onto it," Major said.

But Major says if FIsher is convicted, Skinner's death could be considered in the sentencing.

Skinner lost control of his vehicle on a wet road during the chase. He was taken off life support on Nov. 7.

(Copyright 2008 Bonneville International Corporation. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed. AP contributed to this report.)

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Marc Giauque and AP

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