No Justice, No Peace In The Shooting Of Andrew Brown, Jr., As District Attorney Declines To Charge The Officers Involved

By Ty Ross

Almost a month after the police shooting of Andrew Brown, Jr. by Pasquotank Sheriff’s deputies in Elizabeth City, NC, he and his family are even further away for getting the justification, explanation and vindication they deserve. For weeks, the community protested and demanded transparency from those in charge. Including the Sheriff’s Dept, Judge presiding over the case, and the District Attorney tasked with prosecuting them.

Early on, cries for the release of body cam footage fell on death ears. A slap in the face, the family was allowed to see just 20 seconds of one body cam, while there are at least 5 cameras to view.

NC laws state that only a judge can order release of body cam footage in an officer involved shooting. The family, attorneys, community advocates had hoped it would be. But unfortunately, a NC Supreme Court judge declined to release the videos captured from 4 police body cams and one dash cam.

Brown’s family weren’t the only ones hoping the footage would be released. Mike Cox, attorney for both Pasquotank County and the Sheriff’s Dept felt releasing the video would help to give answers both the family and community needed.

From the beginning, the District Attorney responsible for prosecution of the case, would be a voice of dissent. According to him the public release of the footage would prejudice the jury pool and put the officers in danger. The Judge agreed with DA Womble.

The judge did say that Brown’s son, a few family members and one attorney would be able to review the footage with the officer’s faces blurred and their names redacted.

The family ordered a private autopsy, which showed that Brown was shot a total of five times. With the fatal shot being to the back of the head. A camera located near Brown’s home captured arrival of the officers, and the few minutes before Brown’s death.

The family has described the shooting of Brown, as an execution.

Despite community outrage, despite the family’s pain, despite eye witness accounts, the District Attorney has declined to charge any of the officers involved in Brown’s death while sitting unarmed in his car. The reason? That the officers had a justifiable fear for their lives. Even while shooting an unarmed man, in the back and the head.

This decision, not surprisingly, is not sitting well with the family and resident of Elizabeth City. The city’s response to any impending civil unrest, has been to pass an ordinance that says you have to file for a permit up to two weeks in advance to protest. Even peacefully. Failure to do so is punishable by fines, and possible jail time.

The powers that be in Elizabeth City not only dropped the ball, they let everyone down. And proving once again that the justice system needs an overhaul. It is not about police versus people, but politics over people.

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