The reports have sparked outrage from Rice’s family and supporters, who say the grand jury investigation amounts to “a charade aimed at whitewashing” and are demanding that a special prosecutor take over the case. Chandra’s statement criticized McGinty for not stepping aside and for his refusal to say that there’s probable cause to indict the two officers, which is customary in other grand jury presentations.
Advertisement
The replica gun problem made national headlines after Tamir Rice was shot twice by a police officer in Cleveland while brandishing a replica gun on a playground last November. Cuyahoga County prosecutors have said the case would go to a grand jury for a recommendation on whether or not there should be charges against the officers involved.
A grand jury has begun evaluating evidence in the death of Tamir Rice.
“The Rice family continues to lack confidence in the prosecutor’s handling of the grand jury process”, the statement said.
McGinty said he opted to release the reports in the name of transparency.
The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and turned over findings to the prosecutor. “The family thus believes the secret process is being used as a cover for the prosecutor’s lack of interest in bringing charges”. “As I stated in my briefing on May 12, 2015”, Sheriff Pinkney said, “my department has been diligently working on the investigation”.
The Prosecutor’s office is expected to review the case before making a final determination on any criminal charges.
Cleveland Police Officer Timothy Loehmann shot Rice twice in the abdomen after responding to a 911 call of a man brandishing a handgun outside a recreation center.
In April, investigators from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation recreated the scene outside Cudell.
Advertisement
Loehmann and his partner, Frank Garmback, were investigating a report of a person with a gun when Tamir stood up and moved his hands toward his waistband as the cruiser slid to a stop less than 10 feet from him. The lawsuit was filed approximately two weeks after the shooting.
