Tuesday, March 07, 2000
Panel says Carpenter shooting not justified
Other inquiries ruled differently
BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The fatal shooting of a motorist by a Cincinnati police officer during a traffic stop a year ago was unjustified, the Citizens Police Review Panel said Monday.
The panel said Officer Brent McCurley “acted unreasonably, without justification and in violation of police procedures” when he fired at Michael Carpenter March 19, 1999. The 30-year-old Mount Airy man died from a bullet to the back of the head.
An internal inquiry and the Hamilton County prosecutor exonerated Officer McCurley, who said he feared for his life and that of a fellow officer when Mr. Carpenter appeared to be backing his car toward him.
“Mr. Carpenter's noncompliance did not justify the use of deadly force,” the report said.
The seven-member panel recommended that City Manager John Shirey and the police division develop discipline for officers who don't follow firearm policies and develop policies for disabling vehicles dur ing routine traffic stops.
Officer McCurley and fellow Officer Michael Miller pulled over Mr. Carpenter for expired license tags. Police say Mr. Carpenter refused to cooperate, dragged Officer Miller, who had his arm in the car, and appeared to be backing toward Officer McCurley before they fired.
Police said Officer McCurley fired nine shots and Officer Miller fired one. The report did not address Officer Miller's shot.
Mr. Carpenter's death sparked protests at City Hall, a continuing investigation by the FBI and a pending federal lawsuit filed by Mr. Carpenter's family.
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