Denver DA Fails to Charge Police Officer who Shot Unarmed Latino Man.
Friday, August 27, 2004 at 10:32PM
TheSpook
Denver DA Fails to Charge Police Officer who Shot Unarmed Latino Man. Grand Jury will Decide
Frank Lobato had a Soda Can in his hand, NOT A GUN. Police shoot and kill
Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter tossed a police shooting
investigation to a grand jury Thursday for the first time in his
12-year tenure. Ritter will present the case against officer Ranjan
Ford Jr., 34, in the July 12 shooting death of 63-year-old Frank Lobato
to the grand jury on Wednesday. Lobato's death was the latest in a
series of controversial police shootings that triggered sweeping
reforms in the police use-of-force policy and the department's civilian
oversight. Ritter has never charged an officer involved in a shooting
with a crime. Only two other such cases have been forwarded to the grand jury in the
past 27 years. Both cases resulted in criminal charges against the
officers. Both officers were later found not guilty. Ritter
wouldn't discuss the details of the shooting nor would he say what led
him to seek another opinion. The decision came as no comfort to
Lobato's family members in California, who heard the news after one of
them was contacted by Denver attorney Kenneth Padilla moments after
Ritter's announcement. "This is a clear case where criminal charges
should be brought," Padilla said. "I did not hear any good reason to
use a grand jury. . . . There is no reason why the district attorney
should not step to the plate." Leroy Lemos, a Lobato family spokesman
and community activist, said "We're in the same place as we were
yesterday," Lemos said. "The family wants to know what it takes to get
justice in Denver." [more ]
Latino Man had a Soda Can in his hand, NOT A GUN. Police shoot and kill. [more]
Shootings by Denver Police Prompt Outcry: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH [more]
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