05/08/01: Mom Mad Over Indictment

[Freakapotimus]

Tuesday May 08 09:13 AM EDT

Shooting Victim's Mom Seething Over Indictment
By ABCNEWS.com

The mother of an unarmed black man killed by police in Cincinnati last month is enraged by the results of a grand jury.

The mother of an unarmed black man allegedly shot to death by police in Cincinnati last month is seething over the indictment, but the city reacted to the lesser charges brought against the officer with a peaceful demonstration. "It is very hard for me to call for peace because right now inside of me there is no peace," said Angela Leisure, mother of 19-year-old Timothy Thomas, who was shot to death on April 7, sparking days of mayhem.

On Monday, Cincinnati police officer Stephen Roach was charged with negligent homicide and obstruction of official business - both misdemeanors - in the incident.

"I feel it was a slap on the wrist," said Leisure. "I don't feel justice was served. I feel that was not severe enough for the severity of what he did. He took a life, okay?"

A couple hundred protestors gathered and marched to police headquarters where they held a peaceful demonstration. Police reported on a few scattered incidents of vandalism overnight.

Leisure called for self-control in the black community in the weeks since the unrest, but the indictment left her enraged.

"I don't want anyone else to in the same situation as me and the other families that have lost black men in this city or world," she said. "But I can't sit here and say my whole entire heart is for peace right now. That's not how I feel."

She said that on a scale of one to 10, her anger is at 110.

Gunned Down in a Dark Alley

Thomas was killed in a dark alley while police were trying to arrest him on 14 warrants related to traffic violations. Roach, who has been on paid leave, has not publicly commented on the shooting but his supporters say he feared for his life during the incident and thought Thomas was reaching for a weapon.

The shooting sparked violent protests and looting until Mayor Charles Luken imposed a citywide curfew for three days.

Just before announcing the indictment, Hamilton County prosecutor Mike Allen said the grand jury conducted a very "thorough and fair" investigation. The grand jury, he said, heard from 20 witnesses, including Thomas' mother Angela Leisure, officers involved in the investigation, and witnesses to the events leading up to the deadly shooting. In addition, grand jurors examined aerial photos and diagrams of the chase.

"I know that emotions are running high over the tragic death of Timothy Thomas, but the case against Officer Roach cannot be decided based on emotion," Allen said. "For those who say the charges are too light and for those who say they're too severe, my response is the same: Please withhold your judgment until you know all the facts. The proper place for judgment is at trial."

Bracing for Riot Replay

If convicted of the misdemeanor charges, Roach faces up to nine months in prison - six months for negligent homicide and 90 days for obstruction of official business.

Despite the rage expressed by Leisure, Allen said he feels the grand jury made the right decision, saying, "murder is not appropriate in this case because murder is a purposeful act."

Officials were given word of the findings Sunday night to give authorities 24 hours to prepare for the possibility of a replay of last month's violence. City officials said they were prepared but hoped people respect the grand jury's decision.

So far, there have been no violent skirmishes. After the grand jury's decision was announced, residents voiced their disappointment but no violence followed. A group of approximately 150 protesters marched to police headquarters as police in riot gear and on horseback watched from a distance. The protesters walked around police headquarters for about an hour, then left peacefully.

The grand jury convened last Thursday to consider charges and hear two days of testimony on the shooting. The nine-person jury could have recommended charging Roach with murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, or nothing at all.

Justice Department to Investigate

The grand jury indictment came hours after the Justice Department said it would investigate the patterns and practices of the city's police department, how department policy is carried out on a daily basis, and whether officers have targeted minorities and repeatedly used excessive violence.

"After a careful review of their reports and other information, I have decided to open a pattern or practice investigation of the Cincinnati Police Department," Attorney General John Ashcroft said, referring to the reports of Luken, the Cincinnati police chief and community leaders.

The Justice Department also announced it would continue monitoring Thomas' case to see if it warrants a full-fledged investigation from federal officials. The FBI is also investigating whether Roach violated Thomas' civil rights during their fatal encounter.

In addition, officials from the criminal division are investigating two protest-related incidents. The Justice Department said it would investigate whether civil rights were violated on the day of Thomas' funeral when four people were injured by bean bags fired by police. The four victims said they did not do anything to provoke the attack. Justice Department officials said they will also look into whether officers targeted protesters by race during the riots and allegations of racially motivated violence by rioters.

Years of Frustration Climax

Thomas was the 15th black man killed by Cincinnati police since 1995, the fifth since November, and local leaders said his death and the rioting illustrate years of frustration and racial tension between law enforcement and the black community.

Before Thomas' death, a group of residents had sued the city of Cincinnati and the police, accusing the department of 30 years of racial profiling.

Luken called for changes to eliminate excessive police violence. He also said he would create a commission to find ways to include more minorities in the city's economic growth.

ABC affiliate WCPO in Cincinnati contributed to this report.

[nafs]

At 5/8/01 09:40 AM, Freakapotimus wrote: Tuesday May 08 09:13 AM EDT

stuff

An unarmed black man? datz zome zkari chitt! (that's some scary shit)

[reddeadrevolver]

It reminds me of the issue in 1992 when an unarmed black man was beaten by police. There was video footage to prove the cops were guilty, yet they were found innocent. It sickens me to see such injustice take place. When will the legal system actual enforce itself? Lady Justice needs to take off her blindfold and witness what havoc she has created.

[kurten]

If you had seen the WHOLE Rodney King video, you would have noticed him grabbing the police officer and throwing him on the hood of his squad car. At the time, he was on PCP, which strengthens you. But the media never showed that on TV for some strange reason, or deemed it necessary to mention he was on drugs, and was a convicted felon. Hmmm. Sounds like someone here is brainwashed by the media.

[shorbe]

kurten: Don't worry, come the revolution, the media will be up against the wall right after the politicians and lawyers.

I do find it ironic when white people talk about the police and violence towards blacks. Aside from the fact that most violent crime is committed by blacks, and the media misrepresentation of that, the whole thing is ludicrous.

How about the cops just step back for a moment, and let the blacks have free reign in white suburbs. They're the only ones stopping that from happening. I bet these white do-gooders would be the first to squeal if they saw some homeboys driving through their nice, little slice of the American Dream.

shorbe

[Freakapotimus]

At 5/10/01 11:10 AM, shorbe wrote: I bet these white do-gooders would be the first to squeal if they saw some homeboys driving through their nice, little slice of the American Dream.

Which reminds me: I don't live in the suburbs though but... I never realized how racist my mother was until I was walking down a small side street with her and two black men (about mid-20s) were walking toward us. She told me to keep my head down and not make eye contact. Sheesh...