The officer who killed Black man Andre Hill has pleaded not guilty. His bond has been set at $3 million.
On Dec. 22, former Columbus, Ohio officer Adam Coy responded to a call about a man sitting in his SUV for a long time, repeatedly turning his vehicle on and off. Body camera footage captured Coy fatally shoot Hill just seconds into their encounter. Hill began walking toward Coy while holding his cell phone in his left hand.
CNN reports Coy has entered a not guilty plea on a count of murder in the commission of a felony and other charges. According to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Coy was indicted on felonious assault and two counts of dereliction of duty on Wednesday. Police arrested Coy at his attorney’s office that same day. While jailed, he cannot contact or speak to witnesses or police officers in his case. He is set to be arraigned on Friday.
Coy’s lawyer, Mark Collins, tried to have Coy’s bond amount lowered, claiming that his client is not a risk to the public. He said the case is a matter of “self-defense,” not a “who done it.” Prosecutor Anthony Pierson clapped back at Coy’s statements, saying Hill is no longer on this Earth because of Coy’s actions.
Collin’s attempt to have Coy’s bond reduced was denied. They said they made their decision “based on everything that I’ve heard, that is the bond that I’ve set.” CNN reports that the judge also set a separate $20,000 recognizance bond.
Hill’s family attorney, Ben Crump, says an indictment is not enough and that they are calling for a conviction. “The reason they are not satisfied is because we know, based on what has happened before in America, that when a white police officer kills an unarmed black person, that does not guarantee a conviction,” Crump said.
