Page 11 - Florida Sentinel 5-27-16 Online Edition

National
DOJ Seeking Death Penalty For Charleston’s Mass Shooter
Second Officer In Freddie Gray Case Found ‘Not Guilty’
BALTIMORE, MD --- Bal- timore Circuit Judge, Barry Williams, announced his ver- dict Monday morning finding Officer Edward Nero not guilty on all four charges. Nero was charged with reckless endangerment, two counts of misconduct in office, and assault in connec- tion with the death.
Nero faced a maximum sentence of 10 years for sec- ond-degree assault and up to 5 years for reckless endanger- ment. Opting for a bench trial instead of a jury trial, Officer Nero pleaded not guilty along with the other five officers who were charged.
During the bench trial pros- ecutors argued heavily that de- spite the new seat belt policy being implemented just days before, Nero endangered
Officer Edward Nero was found ‘not guilty’ on all 4 charges.
Gray by failing to seatbelt him in the police van.
Nero’s defense team ar- gued that the prosecutor had no way of proving that Nero had indeed read the email re- garding this policy and that
Freddie Gray died after his spine was severed while in po- lice custody.
Officer Garrett Miller handcuffed Mr. Gray. The defense also argued that the only reason Officer Nero touched Gray was to help him sit up and to help him find his asthma inhaler.
CHARLESTON, SC -- Al- most a year after the deadly mass shootings at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. that took the lives of 9 members including the pas- tor, Attorney General Loretta Lynch announc- ed Tuesday that the Depart- ment of Justice is seeking the death penalty for accused shooter, Dylann Roof.
Lynch said in a statement, “Following the department’s rigorous review process to thoroughly consider all rele- vant factual and legal issues, I have determined that the Jus- tice Department will seek the death penalty. The nature of the alleged crime and the re- sulting harm compelled this decision.”
Overall, Roof is facing 33 charges including hate crimes. State authorities have also stated that they have a separate case against Roof and they too
Dylann Roof walked into Emanuel AME Church almost 1 year ago and shot and killed 9 parishioners, including the church’s pastor.
are seeking the death penalty. Last month, a judge agreed to postpone Roof’s criminal trial for him to undergo more psychiatric evaluations. The trial was slated to begin in July of this year but has been pushed back until January
2017.
Democrats Win Voting Lawsuit In Ohio, Key To Trump Map
Democrats this week won a potentially major victory in Ohio -- months before the November election.
A federal court reinstated Ohio's "Golden Week" -- seven days of early voting with same-day voter registra- tion that Republican state lawmakers struck down two years ago. The ruling looks like a clear victory for Democ- rats, who had sued to reverse the decision.
"It might only be a mar- ginal impact, but in a very close election -- like ones that Ohio is known for -- then that's something that is po- tentially significant. They're fighting a game of inches here," said Rick Hasen, an elections law expert and pro- fessor at University of Califor- nia, Irvine.
Louisiana Set To Pass Bill That Makes Offenses Against Police And Rescue Personnel A Hate Crime
Louisiana is set to become the first state to pass legislation making it a hate crime to target police officers. The ‘Blue Lives Matter’ bill is aimed at expand- ing the state’s hate crime statute to include targeting of police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel. The bill which has passed through both cham- bers of Louisiana’s state legis- lature will be signed into law by Governor John Bel Ed- wards soon.
Louisiana Representative Lance Harris authored the HB 953 bill after Texas Sheriff Darren Goforth was ambushed and killed last Au- gust.
Not everyone is a fan of the
Protest by supporters of ‘Blue Lives Matter.
hate crime statute expansion. The League has spoken out against the bill noting that it would confuse the purpose of the hate crime statute.
No date has been released for the signing of the bill, but the press secretary for Louisiana’s governor says it will be soon.
FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-A