North Carolina police officer Randall "Wes" Kerrick appeared in court Monday to face manslaughter charges for fatally shooting an unarmed black man two years ago while he was seeking help following a car accident.

Officer Kerrick, of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, was charged with voluntary manslaughter in the 2013 killing of former Florida A&M University football player Jonathan A. Ferrell.

The incident occurred on Sept. 14, 2013, when the 24-year-old athlete got into a car accident after giving a friend a late-night ride home. After wrecking his car, he staggered to a nearby house looking for help, but the woman inside called 911 to report a possible break-in.

Kerrick, along with two other officers, responded to the call. Ferrell ended up being shot 10 times.

According to defense attorneys, Ferrell ignored repeated police orders and charged at Kerrick, who shot him 10 times. The defense team say that the cop acted in self-defense and that the shooting was "tragic but justified," reports The Charolette Observer.

Prosecutors, on the other hand, say the officers failed to identify themselves or give Ferrell any orders before one fired a taser at him and missed. In fear for his life, state prosecutors say Ferrell tried to run away from the taser, but in Kerrick's direction.

The first grand jury did not indict Kerrick for manslaughter, but not all the grand jurors were present for the vote. A second grand jury indicted the three-year veteran.

Before jury selection began on Monday, Ferrell's mother, Georgia, spoke outside court. She said she planned to hug Kerrick and tell him, "I do forgive you, but you must be punished," according to NBC affiliate WCNC.

The trial comes at a time when police brutality, excessive force and accountability have been called into question following a string of murders of unarmed black and Latino men at the hands of white cops across the country.

Office Kerrick is white while Ferrell was black. The 29-year-old cop faces up to 11 years in prison if found guilty.