This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-32859763
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Cleveland policeman Brelo cleared over car shooting deaths | Cleveland policeman Brelo cleared over car shooting deaths |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A US policeman who climbed on to a car bonnet and fired repeatedly through the windscreen at unarmed black occupants has been cleared of all charges. | A US policeman who climbed on to a car bonnet and fired repeatedly through the windscreen at unarmed black occupants has been cleared of all charges. |
| Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams died in 2012 in a barrage of bullets fired by 13 officers in a car chase. | Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams died in 2012 in a barrage of bullets fired by 13 officers in a car chase. |
| Michael Brelo, 31, the only officer to be charged, was cleared of voluntary manslaughter at the court in Cleveland. | Michael Brelo, 31, the only officer to be charged, was cleared of voluntary manslaughter at the court in Cleveland. |
| The US has seen a series of police race-related killings, some of which have led to serious civil unrest. | |
| In Cleveland itself, the police shooting last November of a 12-year-old black boy, Tamir Rice, as he waved a replica firearm, fuelled the national debate over police use of deadly force. | In Cleveland itself, the police shooting last November of a 12-year-old black boy, Tamir Rice, as he waved a replica firearm, fuelled the national debate over police use of deadly force. |
| Community and city leaders were braced for possible unrest over the latest ruling. | Community and city leaders were braced for possible unrest over the latest ruling. |
| Some 30 protesters gathered outside the cordoned-off courthouse, some chanting "hands up, don't shoot!" They were faced off by an equal number of sheriff's deputies. | Some 30 protesters gathered outside the cordoned-off courthouse, some chanting "hands up, don't shoot!" They were faced off by an equal number of sheriff's deputies. |
| 137-shot barrage | 137-shot barrage |
| The case involving the deaths of Russell, 43, and Williams, 30, had sparked a department of justice inquiry that concluded Cleveland police had engaged in a pattern of excessive force and violation of civil rights. | The case involving the deaths of Russell, 43, and Williams, 30, had sparked a department of justice inquiry that concluded Cleveland police had engaged in a pattern of excessive force and violation of civil rights. |
| Only Mr Brelo was charged because prosecutors said the pair in the car were no longer a threat when he climbed on to the bonnet of their car and fired 15 shots through the windscreen in 7.4 seconds. | Only Mr Brelo was charged because prosecutors said the pair in the car were no longer a threat when he climbed on to the bonnet of their car and fired 15 shots through the windscreen in 7.4 seconds. |
| But the judge said that as other officers had fired in a 137-shot barrage, he could not rule beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Brelo was responsible for the deaths. | But the judge said that as other officers had fired in a 137-shot barrage, he could not rule beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Brelo was responsible for the deaths. |
| Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John O'Donnell also cleared Mr Brelo of the lesser count of felonious assault. | Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John O'Donnell also cleared Mr Brelo of the lesser count of felonious assault. |
| The judge said he would not "sacrifice" Mr Brelo if the evidence did not warrant conviction. | The judge said he would not "sacrifice" Mr Brelo if the evidence did not warrant conviction. |
| "Guilty or not guilty, the verdict should be no cause for a civilised society to celebrate or riot," he said. | "Guilty or not guilty, the verdict should be no cause for a civilised society to celebrate or riot," he said. |
| Art McCoy of the Black Man Army, a coalition of black leaders, told Associated Press: "We will get justice. We are not happy with this verdict." | Art McCoy of the Black Man Army, a coalition of black leaders, told Associated Press: "We will get justice. We are not happy with this verdict." |
| Mr Brelo had faced up to 22 years in jail if convicted of voluntary manslaughter. | Mr Brelo had faced up to 22 years in jail if convicted of voluntary manslaughter. |
| The incident occurred when the car, a Chevy Malibu, backfired while speeding past Cleveland police HQ, and officers thought a gun had been discharged. | The incident occurred when the car, a Chevy Malibu, backfired while speeding past Cleveland police HQ, and officers thought a gun had been discharged. |
| Some 62 police cars were then involved in a 22-mile chase at speeds up to 100 mph. | Some 62 police cars were then involved in a 22-mile chase at speeds up to 100 mph. |
| Both Russell and Williams had previous convictions and a crack pipe was found in the car. | Both Russell and Williams had previous convictions and a crack pipe was found in the car. |
| Mr Brelo's lawyer said his client had risked his life during the chase. | Mr Brelo's lawyer said his client had risked his life during the chase. |
| There have been a number of police shooting deaths in the US that have sparked race-related protests. | There have been a number of police shooting deaths in the US that have sparked race-related protests. |
| The two most serious were in Ferguson, Missouri, and in Baltimore. | The two most serious were in Ferguson, Missouri, and in Baltimore. |
| In April, Freddie Gray died in hospital a week after Baltimore police had taken him into custody. | In April, Freddie Gray died in hospital a week after Baltimore police had taken him into custody. |
| His death sparked weeks of protests and later riots and looting in the city. | His death sparked weeks of protests and later riots and looting in the city. |
| In Ferguson, teenager Michael Brown was killed last August by a white police officer. The death sparked protests and there was further unrest after a grand jury's decision not to charge the officer. | In Ferguson, teenager Michael Brown was killed last August by a white police officer. The death sparked protests and there was further unrest after a grand jury's decision not to charge the officer. |