Shot by police, Georgetown man to stand trial

A Georgetown man who was shot five times in his home by a Delaware State Police officer has rejected a plea deal and is going to trial.

Michael Rogers, 53, faces charges of second-degree assault of a police officer and resisting arrest with force or violence.

Rogers’ trial began May 27 in Delaware Superior Court in Georgetown.

Police say Rogers was shot by a Delaware State Police officer who was attempting to question Rogers about a traffic incident.

Police say on Aug. 1, 2013, a car registered to Rogers backed into an unoccupied car at the Riverside Inn - now Riverside Grill - in Oak Orchard, before driving home. Trooper First Class Matthew Morgan went to Rogers’ home, where police say Rogers was intoxicated and uncooperative. Rogers' charges stem from a physical confrontation with Morgan inside the home.

Rogers' mother, Lorraine, has said her son was drunk and angry, and he walked away from Morgan. She said the trooper followed him into his bedroom where Rogers put Morgan in a headlock, but Morgan managed to free himself.

Police said to subdue Rogers, Morgan used his Taser, and when that was ineffective, Morgan fired several rounds from his service weapon, hitting Rogers in the upper body and lower extremities.

Lorraine said her son was unarmed at the time of the confrontation and did not move toward Morgan before he shot Rogers.