Savannah man's shooting justifiable panel decides

SEATTLE - A panel in Seattle has ruled that two police officers were justified in shooting a Savannah, Georgia, man as he brandished a sword February 18 in the University District. <br> <br> Testimony indicated 31-year-old Jerel Maxwell -- the son of a former Savannah police corporal -- had been living out of his car. Authorities say he fled after a routine traffic stop and police chased him through residential back yards. <br> <br> Witnesses said Maxwell raised the two-and-a-half-foot sword over his head after being cornered. They said he dared officers to shoot and continued to menace them even after being jolted with a Taser ``stun gun.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Officials of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Urban League have requested a federal investigation into the shooting but have not asserted that race was a factor. <br> <br> Maxwell&#39;s relatives who came from Georgia to attend Wednesday&#39;s inquest described him as a talented sculptor and poet who was down on his luck. They said they were disappointed but not surprised by the findings. <br> <br> The family&#39;s lawyer -- Lembhard Howell -- says he believes people are reluctant to second-guess police officers. <br> <br> The dead man&#39;s mother -- Lisa Maxwell -- says the family may file a lawsuit.