Post by abbey1227 on Jun 15, 2021 12:45:47 GMT
USA TODAY SPORTS
Indianapolis police officer who shot Dreasjon Reed is suing the NFL
Johnny Magdaleno, Indianapolis Star 51 mins ago
The Indianapolis police officer who shot and killed Dreasjon Reed last year is suing the National Football League over material published online that associated Reed with other civil rights figures killed by police.
IMPD officer De'Joure Mercer filed the complaint Monday in federal Southern District of Indiana court. It targets website posts and video produced by the NFL that highlight Reed and other figures in a campaign intended to "honor victims of systemic racism, victims of police misconduct, and social justice heroes."
That language is problematic, according to Mercer's lawyers.
"The (v)ideo gives rise to the inference, implication, and imputation that Mercer committed occupational misconduct and even criminal acts during the May 6 (e)ncounter with Reed, similar to that which were inflicted upon George Floyd," Mercer's lawyers write in the complaint. "This inference, implication, and imputation is false because Mercer committed no such acts."
Mercer is requesting a jury trial and "substantial compensatory damages."
An attorney for Mercer and an NFL spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment. IMPD declined to comment on the case but did confirm Mercer is still employed as an officer.
Mercer shot and killed Reed following a vehicle chase that turned into a foot pursuit near West 62nd Street and Michigan Road on May 6, 2020. In November, a grand jury announced it would not bring a criminal indictment against Mercer.
State investigators argued that Reed fired two shots at Mercer during the final moments of the pursuit — an allegation that attorneys representing Reed's family denied.
Mercer is requesting a jury trial and "substantial compensatory damages."
An attorney for Mercer and an NFL spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment. IMPD declined to comment on the case but did confirm Mercer is still employed as an officer.
Mercer shot and killed Reed following a vehicle chase that turned into a foot pursuit near West 62nd Street and Michigan Road on May 6, 2020. In November, a grand jury announced it would not bring a criminal indictment against Mercer.
State investigators argued that Reed fired two shots at Mercer during the final moments of the pursuit — an allegation that attorneys representing Reed's family denied.
earlier piece..............
USA Today:
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officer who fatally shot 21-year-old Dreasjon Reed won’t face criminal charges, a grand jury announced Tuesday night.
IMPD officer Dejoure Mercer shot Reed during a foot pursuit May 6, sparking a string of protests and demands that Mercer face consequences.
Special Prosecutor Rosemary Khoury, who was appointed to oversee the criminal investigation, said the grand jury determined there wasn’t enough probable cause to charge the officer.
“This has not been an easy task and it’s been a very heavy burden,” Khoury said.
Later, Khoury said through tears that she is the mother of two Black boys.
“I am also very empathetic toward Officer Mercer. I know that had to be a difficult position to be in,” she said. “No one wins.”
Khoury stressed Indiana law prohibited her from discussing what evidence was presented to the grand jury. A separate but coordinated news conference was held shortly after Khoury’s announcement during which Indiana State Police investigators laid out, in detail, what they say happened during the final 16 minutes of Reed’s life.
The ISP investigation concluded that Reed was armed, that he fired two shots after he had been tased by Mercer and that he was then shot multiple times by Mercer, including while they were facing each other.
The ISP also said evidence in Reed’s phone indicated his involvement in two previous drive-by shootings — no one was injured — and that cartridges collected by IMPD in those shootings matched the gun that was in Reed’s possession when he was shot.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officer who fatally shot 21-year-old Dreasjon Reed won’t face criminal charges, a grand jury announced Tuesday night.
IMPD officer Dejoure Mercer shot Reed during a foot pursuit May 6, sparking a string of protests and demands that Mercer face consequences.
Special Prosecutor Rosemary Khoury, who was appointed to oversee the criminal investigation, said the grand jury determined there wasn’t enough probable cause to charge the officer.
“This has not been an easy task and it’s been a very heavy burden,” Khoury said.
Later, Khoury said through tears that she is the mother of two Black boys.
“I am also very empathetic toward Officer Mercer. I know that had to be a difficult position to be in,” she said. “No one wins.”
Khoury stressed Indiana law prohibited her from discussing what evidence was presented to the grand jury. A separate but coordinated news conference was held shortly after Khoury’s announcement during which Indiana State Police investigators laid out, in detail, what they say happened during the final 16 minutes of Reed’s life.
The ISP investigation concluded that Reed was armed, that he fired two shots after he had been tased by Mercer and that he was then shot multiple times by Mercer, including while they were facing each other.
The ISP also said evidence in Reed’s phone indicated his involvement in two previous drive-by shootings — no one was injured — and that cartridges collected by IMPD in those shootings matched the gun that was in Reed’s possession when he was shot.
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