|
Comment on this article |
Email this Article
|
|
News :: Miscellaneous |
|
Officer Roach Not Guilty of Homicide in Thomas Case |
Current rating: 0 |
by Oread Daily
(No verified email address) |
26 Sep 2001
|
|
Officer acquitted in killing that sparked protests in Cincinnati |
Cincinnati Police Officer Stephen Roach was found not guilty this morning in the April 7th killing of Timothy Thomas, an unarmed black man. The shooting came in a dark alley about 2 a.m. as Thomas tried to flee from a dozen police officers chasing him. Thomas was wanted on a variety of misdemeanor warrants. That death sparked many days and nights of upheaval in Cincinnati.
The judge in the case, Ralph Winkler, found that the killing of Thomas by Roach was "a split second reaction to a very dangerous situation created by Timothy Thomas that ... was a reasonable reaction on the part of police officer Roach." Winkler also decided in Roach's favor on an obstruction of justice charge. Roach was charged with obstruction as he gave three versions of the shooting. First, he told fellow officers immediately after the shooting that his gun ''just went off.'' While being questioned by police investigators, though, he gave a detailed description of the shooting, saying he thought Thomas, wearing baggy sweatpants, was reaching for a gun. When investigators told Roach, however, that his statements contradict the actions as captured by police cruiser cameras at the scene, he changed his story to say Thomas came around a corner, startling him and causing him to shoot.
Winkler was little concerned by Roach's conflicting testimony finding them to be of little substance. Isn't that nice? Winkler also commended the cop for having an outstanding record, but said the victim did not. Special Prosecutor Stephen McIntosh indicated he was quite upset by the Judge's citing of Roach's criminal record and stated, "The person who was on trial here was Officer Roach, not Timothy Thomas.'' He added, "There was nothing in the record that Officer Roach followed any of his training, based on the facts and circumstances known to him at the time.'' Commented one observer, "During the decision, one could feel the judge making every effort to place responsibility for the shooting on the shoulders of Timothy Thomas."
Thomas' mother, Angela Leisure criticized the cops and predicted more police killings. ''This situation will happen again unless changes are made,'' she said. She took a far less ambivalent view toward Roach's testimony problems then did the judge and labeled him a liar. Ms. Leisure said, "If you are a police officer, you have true justice. If you're not, you don't.'' She added that she hoped the city remained calm in the face of this verdict. The Rev. Damon Lynch III, who led protests after April's shooting, commented that the verdict caused Cincinnati to ''take 10 steps backward in its attempt at racial healing.''
Officer Roach is the first Cincinnati officer to be tried for fatally shooting a suspect. Roach, charged only with a misdemeanor faced a maximum of nine months in jail even if convicted. |
See also:
http://ohiovalleyimc.org/
|
