Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson calls for calm as the community awaits a verdict by Judge O'Donnell in the manslaughter trial of Cleveland Police Officer Michael Brelo, Cleveland Black clergy support the mayor, community activists say that the mayor must know how O'Donnell will rule....By Cleveland Urban News.Com, Ohio's leader in Black digital news
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| Cleveland Police Patrolman Michael Brelo |
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| Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge John O'Donnell |
Common Pleas Judge John O'Donnell will find Cleveland police officer Michael Brelo guilty on two counts of voluntary manslaughter in the 2012 shooting deaths of two unarmed Black people.
"In the wake of the tragic events that unfolded in Baltimore, and bearing in mind the series of police-related matters and legal proceedings currently in process here in Cleveland, I am writing to let you know that the City of Cleveland has been planning and is prepared to address upcoming developments," said Jackson in a letter to the community that was released to the media earlier today.
Jackson's call for peace comes as rioting broke out this week in Baltimore, Maryland around the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray earlier this month while in police custody.
"As I am sure you are aware, it is likely that the trial of Officer Michael Brelo will conclude within the next few days," said Jackson. "We are planning for a variety of contingencies and are being very proactive in both communication and outreach."
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Last week Common Pleas Judge John O'Donnell tossed out two gun specifications charges against Brelo but denied defense counsel's Rule 29 motion for judgment of acquittal to dismiss the manslaughter charges. The prosecution has rested its case and the defense began presenting its case Monday morning, April 27. A decision by O'Donnell, who is hearing the case instead of a jury trial, is expected any-day.
Community activists said that the mayor's call for calm is an indication that he may know something that others don't as to how O'Donnell, who is White, might rule.
"The mayor must know something that we do not know," local community activist Art McKoy told Cleveland Urban News.Com, Ohio's leader in Black digital news.
Supporting the mayor, among others, is the United Pastors in Mission, a greater Cleveland organization of Black clergy led by the Rev. Larry Harris. Their group has also called for calm and will do so again at 11 am on Thursday, April 30 at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center in downtown Cleveland where Brelo is on trial.
Jackson is Black, and a three-term mayor of the majority Black major American city. Its largely White police department is the subject of a scathing U.S. Department of Justice report that found systemic problems, including illegal excess force police killings, mainly shootings, and cruel and usual punishment against innocent women, children, and the mentally ill. A consent decree is in the workings.
No gun was found at the deadly scene.
The other 12 Cleveland officers that did the shooting, 11 White and one Hispanic, were not charged with crimes per the support of county prosecutor Tim McGinty, and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, both of them of whom are White also, and of whom were endorsed by local and state police unions.
The other 12 Cleveland officers that did the shooting, 11 White and one Hispanic, were not charged with crimes per the support of county prosecutor Tim McGinty, and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, both of them of whom are White also, and of whom were endorsed by local and state police unions.
Reach Cleveland Urban News.Com by email at editor@clevelandurbannews.com and by phone at 216-659-0473.
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