Family of Unarmed Black Man Shot to Death on his Front Porch by Richmond Police Brings Civil Suit
The request to the Justice Department also comes at a time when the
department is under intense scrutiny for its performance in at least
one lethal-shooting incident involving a Richmond police officer. The
city, the police department, and several current and former members of
the department are being sued in federal court by the family of Verlon
Johnson, an unarmed suspect who was shot to death on his front porch by
Detective David Melvin on May 17, 2002. Melvin was tried three times in
the shooting. After two mistrials, he was acquitted by a Circuit Court
judge in February 2004. Johnson's family filed suit in federal court in
August. The civil trial is scheduled for July 7. Last week, an expert
in police training hired by the plaintiff was deposed in the case.
Charles J. Key Sr. -- a retired commanding officer of the firearms
training unit of the Baltimore police department and former SWAT team
supervisor -- also prepared a highly critical report of the Richmond
department that was entered into evidence. "It is my opinion that the
training of Richmond Police Officers in use of force and related areas
is not consistent with accepted police standards and practices,"
concluded Key, who investigated 28 police shooting incidents. "Further,
the training program is inadequate to the degree that it constitutes a
deliberate disregard for the safety and well-being of the citizens of
Richmond." [more] and [more]
Jury Finds Melvin Not Guilty, Defenders Issue Statement [more]
Richmond Police sued in the fatal shooting of Verlon Johnson [more]
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