TOPEKA, Kan. – An attorney for the family of a black Kansas man fatally shot by police says family members believe officers violated his constitutional rights and did not need to use deadly force.
In an interview Thursday, attorney Gillian Cassell-Stiga also said police body camera footage shows that 30-year-old Dominique White was “clearly trying to run away” when two Topeka officers shot him Sept. 28 near a park.
Cassell-Stiga also disputed the local prosecutor’s claim in his report that the footage shows White reached toward a gun in a pocket just before officers shot him.
Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced Wednesday that he would not file criminal charges against the officers. He declared their use of force reasonable and showed reporters body camera footage.
Topeka police have launched an internal investigation.
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The local district attorney does not plan to file criminal charges against two Kansas police officers in the fatal shooting of a black man earlier this year.
Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced his decision Wednesday in connection with the Sept. 28 shooting of 30-year-old Dominique White near a park in Topeka.
Kagay released a seven-page legal analysis that said White acted suspiciously after the officers responded to a report of shots being fired in the area. The analysis said White struggled with police and reached for a gun.
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The analysis said no reasonable judge or jury would find that the actions of the two Topeka officers were unlawful. The officers’ names haven’t been released.
An attorney for White’s family did not immediately return phone and email messages seeking comment.
Source: http://www.kake.com/story/37154918/da-wont-file-charges-against-officers-in-kansas-mans-death