Source: STEPHEN ZENNER / Getty
Nearly four years after the tragic shooting of Andre Hill, former Columbus police officer Adam Coy is finally set to face trial after multiple delays. According to BET, Coy’s defense team requested a postponement to address an expert witness for the prosecution, who also testified in the Derek Chauvin trial.
Coy’s defense is trying to block this expert, citing the need for additional preparation time.
Source: Franklin County Sheriff’s Office / Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Coy, 47, is charged with murder, felonious assault, reckless homicide, and dereliction of duty following the December 22, 2020, shooting of Hill, an unarmed Black man. According to The Columbus Dispatch, Coy responded to a non-emergency noise complaint in a Northwest Side neighborhood, where Hill was visiting a friend.
Within seconds of the encounter, Coy fired multiple shots, striking Hill in the chest and legs. Despite several officers being on the scene, Hill did not receive medical attention for more than 10 minutes.
Body Camera Footage and Defense Claims
The body camera footage of the incident has been a critical piece of evidence. While Coy initially failed to activate his camera, a 60-second look-back feature captured the moment Hill approached Coy and another officer before being shot.
Coy turned his camera on only after firing the shots, capturing the audio of the aftermath. The Columbus Dispatch states that Coy’s defense claims that he mistook a key ring in Hill’s hand for a revolver, with his attorney Mark Collins arguing that it was a reasonable mistake given the circumstances.
What a reach.
There Was A Historic Settlement for Hill’s Family
As previously reported by BOSSIP, in May 2021, the city of Columbus reached a historic $10 million settlement with Andre Hill’s family. The settlement also included renaming a local gymnasium in Hill’s honor. This financial and symbolic gesture marked one of the largest settlements in a police shooting case in Columbus.
This case is the reason we have “Andre’s Law,” which requires body cam footage and immediate medical assistance. Sadly, despite this change, police officers often still get away with these innocent killings–even if the cameras are on.
But, we digress. #JusticeforAndreHill.
Jury Selection and Trial Process
As jury selection begins, The Columbus Dispatch reports that jurors will be tasked with determining whether Coy’s actions were “objectively reasonable” based on the legal standard set by Graham vs. Connor. This trial will focus on whether Coy’s split-second decision to use deadly force was justified, considering the totality of the circumstances.
As we await Coy’s trial, the conversation around police accountability and racial justice remains front and center. The trial is expected to last two to three weeks, with national attention closely watching the outcome.