Judge Rules There's Evidence to Charge Cleveland Officers
CLEVELAND (AP) — A judge has ruled that evidence exists to charge two Cleveland police officers in the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old boy who was holding a pellet gun outside a recreation center.
The judge's ruling is largely symbolic because he cannot compel prosecutors to charge the officers in the death of Tamir Rice last November. But Municipal Court Judge Ronald Adrine ruled Thursday there's probable cause to charge rookie officer Timothy Loehmann with murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide or dereliction of duty. And he ruled there's evidence to charge Loehmann's partner, Frank Garmback, with reckless homicide or dereliction of duty.
Adrine ruled Thursday after a group of activists submitted affidavits asking the court to charge the officers.
Police say Tamir's pellet gun looked real.
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(Photo: AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)