Pittsburgh DA Dragging his feet in Police Slaying of Black Man

Relatives of Hill District resident Bernard Rogers, who was shot by a Pittsburgh Housing Authority police officer in 2002, yesterday reiterated their frustration with District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. because he has not decided whether to press charges in the case. Until Zappala decides whether to prosecute officer Tonyea Curry, the Rogers family said federal investigators won't consider doing so. And until the potential criminal case is resolved, the family can't pursue a civil complaint, members of the Rogers family said yesterday.The FBI began a federal civil rights investigation into Rogers' death on Dec. 19, 2003. Rogers, 26, was confronted by Curry and two other housing authority officers on Nov. 15, 2002 inside the Bedford Dwellings housing complex. Rogers and Curry scuffled before at least three shots were fired, according to Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril H. Wecht. Wecht found that Rogers was shot in the chest by one bullet. Police said the shooting occurred during a struggle in the living room. Witnesses have said Rogers was shot by another officer as he ran down the complex's stairwell.