Officer Pleads Innocent in Cincinnati Shooting
C I N C I N N A T I, May 9 -- A white police officer pleaded innocent today to misdemeanor charges in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man that prompted three nights of riots in April.
Merlyn Shiverdecker, officer Stephen Roach's lawyer, filed thewritten pleas on the charges of negligent homicide and obstructingofficial business. Roach, 27, was not required to appear.
Timothy Thomas, 19, was shot to death April 7 as he fled frompolice trying to arrest him on misdemeanor warrants, mostly fortraffic offenses. Roach was indicted Monday and surrenderedTuesday.
Some activists have declared the charges against Roachinadequate. About 40 protesters converged Tuesday on City Hall todemand better treatment of blacks and complain about policeconduct.
"I've got kids at home — nieces and nephews. They're scared ofthe police. It shouldn't be that way," Brandon Johnson, 21, said."You've got to open your eyes."
Clergymen who spoke with City Council members for about 90minutes said they believe police harass blacks.
The clergy said they want the city to impose tighter controls onpolice officers. They also complained about job prospects forblacks and about the city allowing litter to accumulate in theirneighborhoods.
‘I Hurt for Him’
In an interview broadcast Tuesday night, Roach's mother, KathyRoach, said she is hurting for Thomas' mother, Angela Leisure.
"I can't imagine what she is going through," Ms. Roach toldWKRC-TV. "But Steve is my son and I hurt for him. It'sdevastating what this has done to him."
She said her son had wanted for years to be a police officer. Aformer honor roll student and high school football player, Roachearned a criminal justice degree from the University of Dayton.
Shiverdecker said it might be late summer before a trial isheld. Roach, who was released on $2,000 bond after his surrenderTuesday, declined to comment.
Roach will return to desk duty after evaluation by a counselor,Shiverdecker said.
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