Oklahoma District Attorney Vicki Behenna dropped charges against seven police officers in three separate fatal shootings from 2020. One of them involved five officers who were charged with killing a 15-year-old boy outside a convenience store.
The teenager, Stavian Rodriguez was shot following reports of an attempted armed robbery. A video released by TV news reports showed the teen being shot after dropping his gun and reaching toward his waist. Investigator for the previous district attorney Willard Paige said the five officers fired an unnecessary amount of live rounds as Rodriguez suffered 13 gunshot wounds.
Bethany Sears, Jared Barton, Corey Adams, John Skuta and Brad Pemberton were all charged with the shooting and had been placed on paid administrative leave since the shooting. Rodriguez’s mother Cameo Holland said she looks to work in changing laws to hold law enforcement accountable.
“When the district attorney of Oklahoma County apologizes to your face for the justice system failing you, it’s clear we need changes in the law,” Holland said.
Other dropped cases include Oklahoma City Sgt Clifford Holman who was charged with killing 60-year-old Bennie Edward. According to an affidavit, Edwards was holding a knife and refused to drop it leading to the deadly shooting.
Link: AP News
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