A Wisconsin district attorney on Tuesday declined to bring criminal charges against the officers involved in the police shooting of a Black man in his back at close range, including the cop who fired his gun.
Jacob Blake was shot multiple times in the back by the Kenosha police in August. Kenosha Police Officer Rusten Sheskey is the one who fired off the shots that left the 29-year-old unarmed Black man paralyzed from the waist down.
The incident was captured in a graphic video causing major protests.
According to one local reporter, Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley based his decision against bringing any charges on what he said was a lack of proof that Sheskey was not truly defending himself, an incredulous proposition considering Blake had his back turned to the officer at the time of the shooting.
Kenosha DA said officers don’t have to prove self defense and his office would “have to disprove self defense”
— Ricardo
Torres (@RicoReporting) January 5, 2021
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Blake and his family, described Graveley’s decision as a travesty of justice. Crump emailed a statement to NewsOne that appears in its entirety below:
“We are immensely disappointed in Kenosha District Attorney Michael Gravely’s decision not to charge the officers involved in this horrific shooting. We feel this decision failed not only Jacob and his family, but the community that protested and demanded justice.
“Officer Sheskey’s actions sparked outrage and advocacy throughout the country, but the District Attorney’s decision not to charge the officer who shot Jacob in the back multiple times, leaving him paralyzed, further destroys trust in our justice system. This sends the wrong message to police officers throughout the country. It says it is OK for police to abuse their power and recklessly shoot their weapon, destroying the life of someone who was trying to protect his children.
“This is not the news we were hoping for, but our work is not done and hope is not lost. It is now our duty to broaden the fight for justice on behalf of Jacob and the countless other Black men and women who are victims of racial injustice and police brutality in this country. We will continue to press forward with a civil lawsuit and fight for systemic change in policing and transparency at all levels.
“We urge Americans to continue to raise their voices and demand change in peaceful and positive ways during this emotional time.”
Gravely reportedly shared his decision with Blake “minutes before” his press conference Tuesday.
Reactions to the decision were absent of any real surprise despite ongoing nationwide protests against police violence and racism, which has proven to be a disproportionately deadly combination when it comes to Black suspects, in particular.
Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who is Black, said he was not “shocked,” called Gravely “negligent” and suggested the DA was not in touch with reality when he made his decision.
What is video evidence anyway if they just watch it and interpret things other than reality?
Police accountability is one thing, but there’s a much deeper failure that allows a person to see the footage and ultimately determine nothing went wrong.
— Mandela Barnes (@TheOtherMandela) January 5, 2021
This is a developing story that will be updated as additional information becomes available.
SEE ALSO:
Man Who Filmed Wisconsin Police Shooting Of Jacob Blake Speaks Out
NBA Star Donovan Mitchell Donates $45K To Scholarship Fund For Jacob Blake’s Children
[ione_media_gallery id=”3440564″ overlay=”true”]
