Four Louisiana Officers Acquitted In Death of Black Man

A Louisiana District Court docket choose has acquitted 4 metropolis law enforcement officials within the demise of 44-year-old Tommie McGlothen, NBC Information experiences. In 2020, Shreveport officers Brian Ross, D’Marea Johnson, Treona McCarter, and James LeClare had been charged with negligent murder and malfeasance in connection along with his demise.

McGlothen’s household needed solutions after police advised them he had died of a coronary heart assault. The physique cam footage confirmed McGlothen being each tased and overwhelmed. He additionally had a damaged nostril, damaged jaw, and the complete proper facet of his face was swollen. McGloten had a historical past of psychological well being points, and there have been two earlier encounters with police earlier on the day of his demise. Caddo District Court docket Choose Chris Victory said in his ruling that the prosecution did not show its case towards every officer.

From ABC KTBS 3:

“I’m coronary heart damaged by the choice and I’m very dissatisfied by this choice. As a result of for me, not solely have I misplaced my brother, however I’ve misplaced my sense of neighborhood. These which might be positioned ready to serve and shield, I now not have belief in them in any respect,” mentioned LaQuita McGlothen, Tommie McGlothen’s youthful sister after the decision was introduced.

McGlothen’s son, Tommie McGlothen III, additionally said his disappointment with the decision and is appalled there might be no self-discipline. On Thursday, as ABC KTBS notes, an knowledgeable witness employed from out of state testified the officers violated the usage of coverage procedures of their dealing with of McGlothen.

We’re very dissatisfied. I imply, you recognize, for our justice system to let a person die unresponsive behind a police automotive and stroll away free and never being disciplined for it. So, I simply really feel prefer it set the bar increased for extra corruption right here in Shreveport.”

McGlothen household lawyer James Carter said that the household will go ahead in submitting a wrongful demise swimsuit and that the combat for justice isn’t over. After prosecutors offered their case, protection legal professionals requested for choose Victory to rule with out listening to protection testimony.

“We’ll proceed our pursuit of justice on this matter. Injustice anyplace is a menace to justice all over the place. All the neighborhood in northern Louisiana and the nation needs to be involved that you would be able to have a state of affairs the place a ruling comes forth with overwhelming proof of the abuse and supreme demise of a disabled, a mentally disabled individual whose household was merely searching for assist and it ended up in his premature demise,”