STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Judge Rules There's Evidence to Charge Cleveland Officers

Prosecutors have yet to decide whether to charge the officer in the death of Tamir Rice.

CLEVELAND (AP) — A judge has ruled that evidence exists to charge two Cleveland police officers in the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old boy who was holding a pellet gun outside a recreation center.

The judge's ruling is largely symbolic because he cannot compel prosecutors to charge the officers in the death of Tamir Rice last November. But Municipal Court Judge Ronald Adrine ruled Thursday there's probable cause to charge rookie officer Timothy Loehmann with murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide or dereliction of duty. And he ruled there's evidence to charge Loehmann's partner, Frank Garmback, with reckless homicide or dereliction of duty.

Adrine ruled Thursday after a group of activists submitted affidavits asking the court to charge the officers.

Police say Tamir's pellet gun looked real.

Click here for a chance to win a trip to the 2015 BET Awards!
BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world.

(Photo: AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.