Apr 25, 2008 5:29 pm US/Eastern
Driver Denies Role In Deadly Bank Robbery Shooting
Police Shoot Unarmed Bank Robber To Death
ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WBZ) ―
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George Moore in Attleboro District Court Friday.
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David Semenza was shot and killed by Mansfield police when, according to police, he didn't surrender and made "furtive motions."
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Police sealed off the scene for hours after the shooting Thursday.
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A suspect in a bank robbery that ended in a deadly police shooting in Mansfield was ordered held without bail Friday.
George Moore, 21, of Easton, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Attleboro District Court.
Prosecutors say he was the getaway driver in a robbery at the North Easton Savings Bank on Copeland Drive Thursday evening.
Police stopped the SUV in a residential neighborhood about a mile from the bank.
Moore immediately surrendered and was arrested.
The suspected robber, David Semenza, 20, of North Easton, got out of the car, and according to police, did not surrender.
Investigators say he was shot by officers "after making furtive motions, reaching for something and failing to comply with numerous police orders."
Semenza died at the scene. Police later determined that he was unarmed during the robbery and was unarmed when he was shot by police.
Police maintained Friday that Semenza was acting aggressively prior to the shooting and that it appeared he was reaching for a weapon.
"According to witnesses, (Semenza) began to advance on the officers, at which time they shot the suspect," said prosecutor Stephen Butts.
In court Friday, Moore's attorney said his client knew nothing about the robbery until after it had happened and Moore saw Semenza with the cash.
"I don't believe he sped away from the bank. As soon as the police were behind him he pulled right over. Every command they gave he obeyed," said defense attorney Daniel Rich.
Investigators say Semenza got away with $4,669 before he was shot.
Five officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave until the investigation is completed.
Several shots were fired in the incident though it's unclear how many officers discharged their weapons or exactly how many shots were fired.
Moore has a lenghty history in the criminal court system, with past incidents of alleged theft and burglary, but no convictions. Prior to Thursday's incident, he was due in court in Taunton on an unrelated charge.
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(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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