The trial has begun for the 2020 killing of Andre Hill, an unarmed Black man shot while emerging from a garage holding a cellphone in Columbus, Ohio.
Former police officer Adam Coy, a 17-year veteran of the Columbus police force, who was removed from his office shortly after the incident, faces charges of murder, reckless homicide, and other offenses.
The shooting, captured on police body camera footage, sparked outrage and led to reforms in the Columbus Police Department.
His attorney, Mark Collins, has argued that Coy thought he saw a silver revolver in Hill's hand, leading him to fear for his safety. Jury selection began on Monday.
The trial is expected to last several weeks, with testimony from police officers, use-of-force experts, and witnesses from the neighborhood where the shooting occurred.
The case gained national attention due to the circumstances of Hill's death and the delayed medical assistance provided to him at the scene.
Body camera footage from the day of Dec. 22 showed Hill emerging from the garage of a friend's home, holding a cellphone in his left hand, with his right hand not visible at the time. Coy fired multiple shots, fatally wounding Hill.
"He was bringing me Christmas money. He didn't do anything," a female family friend shouted at police afterward from inside the house.
According to investigators, Hill received no immediate medical assistance from officers for approximately 10 minutes after he was shot.
Hill, a father and grandfather, was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The shooting resulted in the resignation of Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan, who was forced out by Mayor Andrew Ginther following a series of police-involved shootings involving Black men and children.
"The death of Andre Hill and others is a direct result of systemic failures in our police department," Ginther said at a press conference following the shooting.
In addition, the city of Columbus agreed to pay Hill's family a $10 million settlement, the largest such settlement in the city's history.
The city also enacted "Andre's Law," requiring officers to immediately provide medical care to injured suspects and to activate body cameras during their encounters.
Coy's personnel record revealed a history of complaints related to his conduct.
According to the Columbus Division of Police, Coy had been the subject of over three dozen complaints from citizens, including 12 allegations related to use of force.
Most of the complaints were determined to be "unfounded" or "not sustained."
Despite this, the shooting of Hill raised further questions about Coy's history and the department's handling of officer discipline.
The trial is expected to hinge on whether Coy's decision to use deadly force was justified under the circumstances.
Coy's defense team attempted to have the trial moved out of Franklin County, arguing that extensive media coverage had influenced the state jury pool. However, the judge denied the motion, ensuring that the trial would remain in Columbus.
Hill's family has expressed hope that the trial will provide accountability for his death.
A statement released by the family's attorney described Hill as "a kind, loving man who was dedicated to his family and his community."
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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