News

Cops in Wal-Mart Shooting Lawsuit Want 2nd Deposition Delay

By:
Posted on:

< < Back to cops

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) – Two officers who confronted a man carrying an air rifle in an Ohio Wal-Mart want to further postpone giving formal statements about the deadly police shooting in a lawsuit.

The Beavercreek officers’ depositions were delayed through March. They’ve asked a judge to extend that because a federal criminal investigation is pending.

Their attorneys argue they faced an “impossible” choice: give statements that might contribute to a potential criminal case against them, or silently skip a chance to defend themselves in the lawsuit.

Twenty-two-year-old John Crawford III was shot in August 2014 after a 911 caller reported someone waving a gun. Investigators determined Crawford had taken an unloaded air rifle from a shelf.

His family’s attorneys say police answered questions in previous interviews and now raise concerns to delay the case.