DOVER, Del. (AP) - The Delaware attorney general's office says a police officer was justified in shooting at a man who killed two people at the New Castle County courthouse in February 2013.
In a report released Wednesday, former deputy attorney general Tim Mullaney said Capitol Police Cpl. Steven Rinehart was justified in using deadly force after Thomas Matusiewicz opened fire in the courthouse lobby.
Matusiewicz killed his former daughter-in-law, Christine Belford, and a friend of hers before shooting at police. Rinehart returned fire, hitting Matusiewicz in the chest. Matusiewicz then placed his gun in his mouth and fatally shot himself.
Matusiewicz's widow, son and daughter face a March trial on federal charges of conspiracy and stalking of Belford. They could face life in prison if convicted of stalking that resulted in Belford's death.
