A Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy accused in the accidental killing of a co-worker will appear in court Thursday for his arraignment.

Deputy Jared Mullis is facing a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter with a gun enhancement.

The sheriff’s office said Sergeant Rod Lucas was killed last Halloween when Mullis accidentally fired his gun. The district attorney filed charges against Mullis in July, 2017.

“This truly was a really bad accident that had no maliciousness involved in it at all,” said legal analyst, David Mugridge.

Deputy Mullis faces jail time but Mugridge believes, if convicted, the most he’ll receive is community service.

“They can fashion all sorts of things. They can have the individual go out and talk to schools, talk to kids in schools about the danger of weapons,” said Mugridge.

Mugridge said he wasn’t surprised the district attorney’s office charged Mullis because of the gun violence in Fresno county.

“The district attorney had to take that into account and send a message to everybody that people dying from weapon offenses is not acceptable, even if it is a police officer,” said Mugridge.

Mugridge said if convicted, Mullis may be stripped of his job as a deputy sheriff.

Lucas’ widow, Jami Lucas said she will be in court Thursday. She said she’s “giving this all to God. It’s in God’s hands and God’s will. Whatever happens, she’ll be okay with it.” Jami Lucas went on to say she’s hoping, “through all this, people will remember Rod.”

When asked if she’s planning to file a civil lawsuit, Jami Lucas said she was praying about it.

Deputy Mullis is on paid leave from the sheriff’s office and he referred us to his lawyer for comment.

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims declined to comment.