March To Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office Planned
WTAE—Two years after the violent arrest of then-high school senior Jordan Miles, a march to the Allegheny County Courthouse will be held today by groups who want action against the Pittsburgh police officers who put him in the hospital.
The Alliance for Police Accountability and Occupy Pittsburgh protesters said they will march to District Attorney Stephen Zappala’s office at 3 p.m. and demand prosecution for Richard Ewing, Michael Saldutte and David Sisak.
“There is more than enough evidence that crimes were committed by the police,” APA chair Brandi Fisher said in a written statement. “The DA has not returned any phone calls about this case and has most recently received a letter from the NAACP national office looking for a response on the status of his office’s investigation. If we have to occupy the DA’s office to get a response, then that’s what we’ll do.”
Miles was walking on a Homewood street on the night of Jan. 12, 2010, when he was approached by the three men, who he said he did not know were plainclothes officers. He said he tried to run because he was scared and they beat him.
Police have said that the officers identified themselves and that Miles resisted arrest and assaulted them. A district judge dismissed all charges against Miles at a preliminary hearing.
Following a lengthy investigation, U.S. Attorney David Hickton decided not to seek criminal charges against the officers, who have since returned to work. A lawsuit has been filed by Miles’ family.
