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DOJ to review deadly Cleveland police shooting

By Amy R. Connolly

CLEVELAND, May 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department said it will review the shooting death of an unarmed Cleveland couple, by police officer Michael Brelo, after he was found not guilty.

Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, along with U.S. Attorney Steven M. Dettelbach and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony, announced on Saturday that the agencies have been "monitoring" the investigation into the November 2012 shooting by police officer Michael Brelo. In the wake of the judge's not-guilty verdict, the DOJ said it will continue its investigation.

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"We will now review the testimony and evidence presented in the state trial. We will continue our assessment, review all available legal options and will collaboratively determine what, if any, additional steps are available and appropriate given the requirements and limitations of the applicable laws in the federal judicial system,"the DOJ said in a written statement.

Brelo, 31, was found not guilty of manslaughter charges in the shooting deaths of Timothy Russell, 43, and Malissa Williams, 30, after they led 62 police cars on a chase around Cleveland. Police fired at least 137 rounds at the couple's car once it stopped. Brelo continued to fire after other officers had stopped, climbing onto the hood of the couple's car and shooting 15 rounds through the windshield.

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Cleveland courts will take an unusual turn Monday and open on Memorial Day to arraign some of the 71 people arrested in protests that followed the judge's verdict.

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