Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Trial Date Set For Cleveland Cop Charged In November 2012 Shooting

cleveland.com

Trial is scheduled April 6 for a Cleveland police officer accused of firing the final rounds of a 137-shot barrage that killed two unarmed African-Americans inside a car in November 2012. 30-year-old Michael Brelo faces two counts of felony voluntary manslaughter. Brelo is accused of jumping on the hood of a car and firing 15 rounds through the windshield. Thirteen officers fired into the car, killing 43-year-old Timothy Russell and 30-year-old Malissa Williams. Five Cleveland police supervisors have been charged with dereliction of duty for failing to control the chase and shooting scene. Trial dates for them are pending.  Meanwhile, USA Today reports the Cleveland Police Department's racial makeup does not match the city's population. 53-percent of Cleveland residents are African-American, but the police force is 75-percent white.  Community leaders say the gap is unacceptable and are pushing for more minority hires. The city has been in the national spotlight after a spate of officer-involved shootings.  
 

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.
Related Content