Ex-officer found guilty in the 2020 shooting death of Andre Hill

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A erstwhile constabulary serviceman was convicted of execution Monday successful nan shooting of Andre Hill, a Black man who was holding a cellphone and keys erstwhile he was killed.

Officer Adam Coy, who served astir 20 years pinch nan Columbus constabulary force, changeable Hill 4 times successful a car shed astir 4 years ago. Coy, who is white, was fired aft nan shooting. He later told jurors that he thought Hill was holding a metallic revolver.

“I thought I was going to die,” he testified. It was only aft he rolled complete Hill’s assemblage and saw nan keys that he realized location was nary gun, Coy said. “I knew astatine that constituent I made a mistake. I was horrified.”

Coy, who was partially blocked from position by his grim-faced attorneys, did not visibly respond to nan verdict but muffled cries could beryllium heard successful nan courtroom erstwhile it was announced. Prosecutors asked that nan erstwhile serviceman beryllium sentenced immediately, but Franklin County Judge Stephen McIntosh alternatively group a sentencing day of Nov. 25.

Police assemblage camera footage showed Hill coming retired of nan car shed of a friend’s location holding up a cellphone successful his near hand, his correct manus not visible, seconds earlier he was fatally changeable by Coy. Almost 10 minutes passed earlier officers astatine nan segment began to assistance Hill, who laic bleeding connected nan car shed floor. He was pronounced dormant astatine a hospital.

Weeks aft nan December 2020 shooting, nan politician forced retired nan constabulary chief aft a bid of fatal constabulary shootings of Black men and children. Columbus later reached a $10 cardinal settlement pinch Hill’s family, nan largest successful metropolis history. The Columbus City Council besides passed Andre’s Law, which requires constabulary officers to render contiguous aesculapian attraction to an injured suspect.

Prosecutors said Hill, 47, had followed nan officer’s commands and was ne'er a threat to Coy, who now faces astatine slightest 15 years successful situation

“We’re taught do what nan cops show you to do and you tin past that encounter,” Franklin County adjunct charismatic Anthony Pierson said during closing arguments. “That’s not what happened here.”

The officer’s attorneys based on that Hill’s deficiency of a limb did not matter because Coy thought his life was successful danger. “He wasn’t reckless, he was reasonable,” said lawyer Mark Collins.

Coy had gone to nan vicinity to analyse a title astir personification wrong a moving conveyance erstwhile he first encountered Hill sitting successful an SUV. Hill told Coy he was waiting connected a friend to travel outside.

The serviceman said he thought Hill seemed dismissive and past suspicious aft Hill walked to a location and knocked connected nan doorway earlier entering nan garage.

Coy said he mislaid show of Hill and suspected he mightiness beryllium trying to break into nan house. Coy utilized a flashlight to spot Hill successful nan car shed and told him to travel out, nan serviceman testified.

When Hill walked toward him, Coy said he could not spot nan man’s correct manus and past saw what he thought was a revolver. He said he yelled, “Gun! Gun!” and past fired astatine Hill.

Family and friends said Hill — a begetter and grandfather — was devoted to his family and was a skilled tradesman who dreamed of 1 time owning his ain restaurant, aft years of activity arsenic a cook and edifice manager.

Coy had a lengthy history of complaints from residents, pinch much than 3 twelve revenge against him since he joined nan section successful 2002, according to his unit file. A twelve of nan complaints were for usage of force. All but a fewer were marked “unfounded” aliases “not sustained.”