Former Columbus, Ohio, officer found guilty of shooting black man while holding cellphone and keys

A former Ohio police officer was convicted of murder on Monday Andrew Hilla black man who had a cell phone and keys in his hand when he was killed. officer Adam Coywho served with the Columbus Police Department for nearly 20 years, shot Hill four times in a garage nearly four years ago. Coy, who is white, was fired after the shooting. He later told jurors that he believed Hill was holding a silver revolver, which turned out to be a key.

“I thought I was going to die,” he testified. It wasn't until he rolled over Hill's body and saw the keys that he realized there was no gun, Coy said. “I knew at that point I had made a mistake. I was horrified.”

Coy, who was partially unseen by his grim-faced lawyers, did not visibly react to the verdict, but muffled screams could be heard in the courtroom as it was announced. Prosecutors called for the former officer to be sentenced immediately, but Franklin County Judge Stephen McIntosh instead set a Nov. 25 sentencing date.

Coy, who is undergoing cancer treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma, was devastated by the verdict, said defense attorney Mark Collins, who shook his head slightly as the verdict was read. He later promised to appeal.

Police body camera footage showed Hill emerging from the garage of a friend's home with a cellphone in his left hand seconds before he was fatally shot by Coy, his right hand not visible. Nearly 10 minutes passed before officers on scene began helping Hill, who lay bleeding on the garage floor. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Weeks after the December 2020 shooting, the mayor forced the police chief to resign after a series of fatal police shootings of Black men and children. Columbus later reached a $10 million settlement with Hill's family, the largest in the city's history. The Columbus City Council also passed Andre's Law, which requires police officers to provide immediate medical aid to an injured suspect.

Prosecutors said Hill, 47, followed the officer's commands and was never a threat to Coy, who now faces at least 15 years in prison. The jury also found him guilty of involuntary manslaughter and grievous bodily harm.

“We are taught to do what the police tell you and you can survive this encounter,” Franklin County Assistant Prosecutor Anthony Pierson said during closing arguments. “That didn’t happen here.”

Shawna Barnett, one of Hill's sisters, said she hoped the verdict would send a message that violence by police would not be tolerated.

“It’s been far too long, but I’m glad it’s over,” she said. “It's time to stop. It’s time to make everything fair.”

Brian Steel, president of the Columbus police union, said he was shocked by the murder conviction and that it will have far-reaching implications for officers in Ohio and beyond. “Your split-second decision can now lead to murder,” he said. “It's absolutely crazy.” “Officers are willing to die for their community, they're willing to die for this job,” Steel said. “You don’t want to go to jail for this job.”

The officer's attorneys argued that Hill's lack of a weapon didn't matter because Coy believed his life was in danger. “He wasn't reckless, he was sensible,” Collins said during the trial.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represented Hill's family, said the verdict shows that no one is above the law and sent a message that “accountability in law enforcement is not optional.”

“Andre was an unarmed, innocent man, and his life was taken without regard to his duty to protect and serve,” Crump said in a statement.

Coy had gone to the neighborhood to investigate a complaint about someone in a moving vehicle when he first encountered Hill in an SUV. Hill told Coy he was waiting for a friend to come outside.

The officer said he thought Hill appeared distant and then suspicious after Hill went to a house and knocked on the door before entering the garage.

Prosecutors questioned Coy about why he didn't ask Hill his name or call him for support if he was so worried, CBS affiliate WBNS-TV reported. Coy said Hill only partially obeyed his commands and hid his right hand.

“I thought he would pull. I pulled out my gun and fired four shots,” Coy said.

According to WBNS-TV, prosecutors asked Coy if Hill obeyed his orders, and Coy responded, “Partly by hiding.” He had his right hand behind his leg.”

Coy was asked if he asked Hill to show his hands, the station reported.

Coy said, “It happened too fast, sir.”

Coy said he lost sight of Hill and suspected he might be trying to break into the house. Coy used a flashlight to spot Hill in the garage and asked him to come out, the officer testified.

As Hill approached him, Coy said he couldn't see the man's right hand and then saw what he thought was a revolver. He said he had “Gun! Weapon!” shouted. and then shot Hill.

Family and friends said Hill – a father and grandfather – was devoted to his family and a skilled craftsman who dreamed of one day owning his own restaurant after working for years as a chef and restaurant manager.

According to his personnel file, Coy has a long history of complaints from residents, with more than three dozen filed against him since he joined the department in 2002. A dozen of the complaints involved use of force. All but a few were deemed “unfounded” or “not sustained.”