This is from an intriguing article in the New York Times today that speaks to citizen activism:
WASHINGTON — Community leaders in Cleveland, distrustful of the criminal justice system, said Monday that they would not wait for prosecutors to decide whether to file charges against the police officers involved in the fatal shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice last year. Instead, they will invoke a seldom-used Ohio law and go directly to a judge to request murder charges against the officers.Ohio Citizens Seek to Bypass Prosecutor in Tamir Rice Shooting
I had no idea this possibility existed. I tried to find out if there is a similar law in my state, but was unsuccessful. Is anyone aware of this law outside of Ohio?
This will be a strong action. If they prevail, there will be no secret, and likely corrupt, Grand Jury process. Or a public, obviously corrupt, Grand Jury defense trial, like the Bob McCulloch/Darren Wilson fiasco.
This would involve a Judge deciding whether the facts surrounding Tamir Rice’s shooting in less than 2 seconds is deserving of a trial.
I am at the point of believing that public pressure, unrelenting and publicized, is the best tool we have to work with now. It is obvious that the powers that be in Cleveland have been counting on the public having moved on and forgotten about Tamir Rice. This should be a good wake up call for them.
They are filing the request Tuesday morning. Send good thoughts.