38th consecutive time that Prosecutor declined to prosecute a Denver officer after a fatal
shooting
A Denver grand jury charged with investigating the police
shooting death of an innocent man deadlocked on whether to indict or
exonerate officer Ranjan Ford Jr., the district attorney's office
announced Wednesday. The stalemate left open the option for District
Attorney Bill Ritter, who has never charged an officer involved in a
shooting, to charge Ford in the July 11 killing of 63-year-old Frank
Lobato. But Ritter told a press conference Wednesday afternoon that he
couldn't "ethically go forward believing that I can convince 12 people
beyond a reasonable doubt that he's committed the elements of the crime
charged." Police were sweeping
through Frank Lobato's home in July, searching for a domestic-violence
suspect, when an officer saw a can of soda in his hand, thought it was
a gun and fired into the 63-year-old's chest, authorities said. The
decisions made by the jury and Ritter outraged Lobato's family and
raised concerns within the community. "How Bill Ritter, as the guardian
of justice for residents of Denver, could turn his back on fairness and
responsibility, is despicable," Lobato's children said in a written
statement. Members of City Council also expressed disappointment. "This
is the type of thing that really spreads concern in the community,"
Council President Elbra Wedgeworth said. "This is a prime example of
where we need a police monitor." Lobato's death was the latest in a
series of controversial police shootings that triggered reforms in the
police use-of-force policy and the department's civilian oversight. [more] and [more]
Lobato was shot in his bed while holding a soda can, which
investigators said Ford likely mistook for a weapon. The shooting
sparked community controversy. Lobato was shot after officers climbed a
ladder and went through a window into a home at 1234 W. 10th Ave. while
looking for a domestic-violence suspect. Lobato was not involved in
that assault case.[more]
