AUSTIN, Texas — Closing arguments are set to begin Friday in the deadly conduct trial for Austin Police Officer Daniel Sanchez.

The defense rested its case on Thursday and called its final witness.

Sanchez, who has pleaded not guilty, is facing a charge for the on-duty shooting death of 33-year-old Rajan Moonesinghe on Nov. 15, 2022. Jurors will soon weigh in on whether Sanchez was justified when he fired his weapon and shot Moonesinghe.

APD officers responded to Moonesinghe’s South Austin home a little after midnight, when a 911 call came in about a man outside with a rifle. That man was identified as Moonesinghe.

He was shot five times by Sanchez.

The trial has focused on the position Moonesinghe held his weapon and if he posed a threat to officers and others around him.

On the f

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