星空无限传媒

The mother of an unarmed 20-year-old man who was shot and killed by Columbus police officer Ricky Anderson in August in the Hilltop neighborhood is criticizing how slowly Columbus officials are handling the case, compared to the swift action in Memphis following the death of Tyre Nichols.

Donovan Lewis鈥� mother Rebecca Duran and her attorneys Rex Elliott and Michael Wright said at a news briefing Tuesday that comments from local leaders praising that swift action in Tennessee contrasts with the actions authorities are taking in Columbus.

Duran is calling on Columbus officials to act on her son's case. 鈥淚f it can be done in a swift manner anywhere, it can be done swiftly here, and honestly yesterday was five months since the murder of my son. And for the most part, there hasn't been any action,鈥� Duran said.

Elliott said Memphis officials acted appropriately and swiftly. 鈥淭hat is true leadership in this country. The reality is it stands in stark contrast to what has happened here in the city of Columbus. Donovan Lewis too was killed in a brutal act of excessive force in the city,鈥� Elliott said.

Elliott read messages posted on social media by Columbus police Chief Elaine Bryant, Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin and Director of Public Safety Robert Clark.

Bryant said, in part: 鈥溾�� I am deeply heartbroken and saddened, the actions of these former officers do not represent the standards we hold here at the Columbus Division of Police. Our officers are trained to treat every individual with dignity and humanity鈥︹��

Elliott responded, 鈥淚 beg to differ. They did not do that... So with all due respect to Chief Bryant, while that's exactly what leadership showed in Memphis, leadership has not shown that here.鈥�

Hardin stated, in part, that the Nichols video 鈥渋llustrates yet another unacceptable and sickening incident of brutality. We must use this violent abuse of power as a catalyst in our efforts to seek a more just and safe nation.鈥�

鈥淗ow about the brutality that occurred here in Columbus, Ohio on Aug. 30 2022?鈥� Elliott retorted.

An email seeking comment from Hardin was not immediately returned Tuesday.

Clark stated on social media in part: 鈥淚 am sickened by what I just witnessed. The utter lack of humanity displayed by these officers flies in the face of the oath taken by law enforcement everywhere. For those of us who have dedicated our careers to public safety, and public service, the acts seen in this video are simply unconscionable鈥︹��

Elliott responded, 鈥淭he acts seen in that video are unconscionable, yet we've just heard from the city council president, the police chief and the public safety director on the death of Tyre Nichols. With all due respect, do something here in Columbus.鈥�

Columbus police did not specifically respond to a request for comment on Elliott鈥檚 remarks concerning the posts, but did respond by outlining the process the department is following.

After the criminal process is complete, 鈥渢he Office of the Inspector General may conduct an administrative investigation if a complaint is filed or if the Civilian Police Review Board initiates a complaint in order to determine if the officer鈥檚 actions were within policy. The IG鈥檚 findings go to the Civilian Review Board for review and recommendation of discipline and/or policy changes.鈥�

Recommendations regarding discipline are 鈥渞equired by the collective bargaining agreement to be reviewed by the chain of command. Depending on the incident and level of discipline, it may rise to the level of the chief and then the director of public safety. Any recommendations for suspension, demotion or termination would be determined by the safety director.鈥�

Anderson is on paid administrative leave as the process plays out.

Duran said the process is too lengthy in Columbus, and city leaders need to make the types of changes to the system that will improve accountability and speed it up. She also said the Civilian Police Review Board has no power in this case. 鈥淵ou know, in our justice system, you have a right to a speedy trial. Why do we not have a right to speedy justice?鈥� Duran said.

The case is in the hands of special prosecutors, H. Tim Merkle and Gary Shroyer, who were appointed by the Franklin County Prosecutor鈥檚 Office. They will determine what charges, if any, to present to a grand jury.

Elliott said because there is video of Lewis being shot in bed when police entered his home in the middle of the night while he was defenseless, there is enough evidence to take action now. 鈥淚t doesn't take an indictment to terminate a police officer. The video's there... this should have happened months ago. And frankly, if a police officer gets terminated and he doesn't like it, he's got an arbitration process he can go through,鈥� Elliott said.

Attorney Michael Wright said the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation finished their investigation on Dec. 8.

鈥淚t is time for the prosecutor's office to do their job. They've received the packet, their investigation is over with. It's been months and they have not returned an indictment. Where's the grand jury? What are they doing right now? They've had all the information that they've needed to indict to start the prosecutorial process of this officer since Dec. 8. What's going on? Do your job,鈥� Wright said.

星空无限传媒 received the following response via email from the special prosecutors after reaching out for comment about the case:

The role and duty of the Special Prosecutors is to seek justice. Traditionally in Franklin County, all deaths as a result of the actions of law enforcement officers are reviewed by the Franklin County Grand Jury to determine if there is a basis to believe that a criminal act happened. Each incident has its own unique facts, circumstances, and timeline. Furthermore, any review of the use of force by law enforcement entails a detailed evaluation of all the facts and circumstances leading up to and surrounding the incident and application of guidelines set forth by the courts. That procedure can be time consuming and in this case is ongoing. We sympathize with the family of Donovan Lewis and their frustration with the process. We are dedicated to achieving justice in this matter.