Blake Apologizes After Being Cleared In Fatal Shooting

Eight months after a woman was shot and killed by her husband, police officer Michael Blake, he was cleared by a grand jury on Monday of any wrongdoing.

On Tuesday, Blake offered several apologies to those close to the case. Blake met members of the media in front of the Montgomery County courthouse and read from a prepared statement, apologizing to many.

Along with his attorney and fighting back tears, Blake offered his condolences to his deceased wife, Niema. He then apologized to her family.

Blake was accused of shooting his wife in February after a heated argument between the two. He said she came after him with a butcher knife and was forced, in self-dense, to defend himself.

Blake said that is when he shot her. Authorities said Blake’s wife died from her injuries and he was taken into custody, but was never arrested or charged.

Authorities said Blake will not face any charges in the fatal shooting.

Previous Stories: October 3, 2005: Officer Michael Blake Cleared Of Charges March 30, 2005: Dayton Police Chief Orders Special Investigation Into Shooting Death February 21, 2005: Police Chief Speaks Out About Death Of Officer's Wife February 21, 2005: Investigation Continues Into Death Of Officer's Wife February 20, 2005: Dayton Officer Handcuffed In Deadly Shooting Of Wife