Nearly six months after he ran down a dark alley and fatally shot an unarmed man fleeing police, Cincinnati Police Officer Stephen Roach will learn today whether he will be held criminally responsible for the death.

Roach

        At 11 a.m., Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Ralph E. “Ted” Winkler will announce a verdict following a six-day trial. Officer Roach was tried on two misdemeanors — negligent homicide and obstruction of official business — for the April 7 death of Timothy Thomas.

        The shooting sparked days of riots. While police have extra officers on standby for the announcement of the verdict, they would not comment on specific plans.

        Some officers assigned to the undercover Violent Crimes Task Force, established to combat the violence that followed the spring riots, were assigned Tuesday to work in special squads today.

        If convicted, Officer Roach could spend a minimum of three months in jail or a maximum of nine months.

        Regardless of today's verdict, he will undergo an administrative investigation. If convicted of either or both charges, it would be an automatic violation of division standards. He could face discipline including dismissal, suspension, reprimand, additional training and counseling, said Lt. Col. Rick Biehl, an assistant chief.

        If there is no guilty verdict, the case will be reviewed by the division's Internal Investigations Unit, the Office of Municipal Investigation and the Citizens Police Review Panel.

        Officer Roach is the first Cincinnati officer to be tried for fatally shooting a suspect.

        Two other officers, Robert “Blaine” Jorg and Patrick Caton, face criminal charges in the asphyxiation death of Roger Owensby Jr. who died Nov. 7 while struggling with police. Their trials are scheduled to begin next month.

        Officer Jorg is the first Cincinnati officer indicted on a felony charge for the death of a suspect. He is accused of involuntary manslaughter.

        Officer Caton faces a misdemeanor assault charge.
        Officer Stephen Roach will hear the verdict in his trial today.

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