Syracuse, N.Y. — A federal judge ruled Wednesday that a Syracuse police officer cannot be held liable for fatally shooting a man nine years ago, even after a jury found she used excessive force.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda Sannes said in a 31-page decision that the actions of the officer, Kelsey Francemone, were covered by a legal defense called qualified immunity.

The ruling was issued in a civil lawsuit bought by the family of the man shot. The officer had previously been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.

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