Feds decline charges against officers in Tamir Rice case
To bring federal civil rights charges in cases like these, the Justice Department must prove that an officer’s actions willfully broke the law and are not simply the result of a mistake, negligence or bad judgment. But the video reviewed by federal prosecutors makes the sequence of events less clear. Neither of two witnesses who either saw part of the encounter or reported hearing gunshots said they saw exactly what Rice was doing just before the shooting, according to the Justice Department. In a statement at the scene to three other law enforcement officers, Loehmann “repeatedly and consistently stated” that Tamir was reaching for a gun before he shot him, prosecutors said. Both Loehmann and Garmback also said in statements after the shooting that Loehmann had given Tamir “multiple commands to show his hands before shooting” and both officers saw him reaching for the weapon.
Justice Department declines to charge officers in Tamir Rice case
To bring federal civil rights charges in cases like these, the Justice Department must prove that an officer's actions willfully broke the law rather than being the result of a mistake, negligence or bad judgment. The Justice Department says seven use-of-force experts — three retained by the family, four by local authorities — reviewed the recording, but the poor quality of the video on which they relied and their "conflicting opinions added little to the case." Inconsistent witness statements also complicated any prosecution, and neither person said they saw exactly what Rice was doing just before the shooting, according to the Justice Department. In a statement at the scene to three other law enforcement officers, Loehmann "repeatedly and consistently stated" that Tamir was reaching for a gun before he shot him, prosecutors said. The Justice Department also investigated whether the officers obstructed justice in statements they made to other investigators soon after the shooting.
cbsnews.comFeds decline charges against officers in Tamir Rice case
To bring federal civil rights charges in cases like these, the Justice Department must prove that an officer’s actions willfully broke the law and are not simply the result of a mistake, negligence or bad judgment. But the video reviewed by federal prosecutors makes the sequence of events less clear. Neither of two witnesses who either saw part of the encounter or reported hearing gunshots said they saw exactly what Rice was doing just before the shooting, according to the Justice Department. In a statement at the scene to three other law enforcement officers, Loehmann “repeatedly and consistently stated” that Tamir was reaching for a gun before he shot him, prosecutors said. Both Loehmann and Garmback also said in statements after the shooting that Loehmann had given Tamir “multiple commands to show his hands before shooting” and both officers saw him reaching for the weapon.
Justice Department Announces Closing of Investigation into 2014 Officer Involved Shooting in Cleveland, Ohio
It is not clear from the video evidence when Tamir became aware of the patrol car driving toward the gazebo. Officer Loehmann fired two shots within less than two seconds of opening the passenger door, striking Tamir once in the abdomen. As soon as Officer Loehmann exited the patrol car, he fell to his right and to the ground, toward the rear of the patrol car, resulting in an ankle injury. Officer Loehmann fired two shots within seconds of opening the passenger door, striking Tamir once in the abdomen. Officers Loehmann and Garmback gave several additional statements to other responding officers in the minutes and hours after the shooting.
justice.govInvestigation of Tamir Rice shooting made public
A report detailing the investigation of the fatal shooting of Tamir Rice in Cleveland has been released. Police officer Timothy Loehmann shot and killed Tamir, who was holding a fake gun. Dean Reynolds reports Loehmann was distraught, saying "He gave me no choice ... he reached for the gun, and there was nothing I could do."
cbsnews.com6/11: Judge: Enough evidence to charge cop in Tamir Rice death; Roasted: Almond farmers scrutinized amid California drought
A Cleveland judge has found probable cause that police officer Timothy Loehmann should face murder charges in the killing of 12-year-old Tamir Rice; California produces 100 percent of the nation's almond supply, and 80 percent of those consumed worldwide. But in the midst of the state's historic drought, the little nut that requires a lot of water has become a symbol of a big problem.
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