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Cleveland policeman Brelo cleared over car shooting deaths Cleveland policeman Brelo cleared over car shooting deaths
(about 1 hour later)
A US policeman who climbed on to a car bonnet and fired repeatedly through the windscreen at unarmed black occupants has been cleared of all charges.A US policeman who climbed on to a car bonnet and fired repeatedly through the windscreen at unarmed black occupants has been cleared of all charges.
Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams died in 2012 in a barrage of bullets fired by 13 officers in a car chase.Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams died in 2012 in a barrage of bullets fired by 13 officers in a car chase.
Michael Brelo, 31, the only officer to be charged, was cleared of voluntary manslaughter at the court in Cleveland.Michael Brelo, 31, the only officer to be charged, was cleared of voluntary manslaughter at the court in Cleveland.
The US has seen a series of police race-related killings, some of which have led to serious civil unrest.The US has seen a series of police race-related killings, some of which have led to serious civil unrest.
In Cleveland itself, the police shooting last November of a 12-year-old black boy, Tamir Rice, as he waved a replica firearm, fuelled the national debate over police use of deadly force.In Cleveland itself, the police shooting last November of a 12-year-old black boy, Tamir Rice, as he waved a replica firearm, fuelled the national debate over police use of deadly force.
Community and city leaders were braced for possible unrest over the latest ruling.Community and city leaders were braced for possible unrest over the latest ruling.
Some 30 protesters gathered outside the cordoned-off courthouse, some chanting "hands up, don't shoot!" They were faced off by an equal number of sheriff's deputies.Some 30 protesters gathered outside the cordoned-off courthouse, some chanting "hands up, don't shoot!" They were faced off by an equal number of sheriff's deputies.
137-shot barrage137-shot barrage
The case involving the deaths of Russell, 43, and Williams, 30, had sparked a department of justice inquiry that concluded Cleveland police had engaged in a pattern of excessive force and violation of civil rights.The case involving the deaths of Russell, 43, and Williams, 30, had sparked a department of justice inquiry that concluded Cleveland police had engaged in a pattern of excessive force and violation of civil rights.
Only Mr Brelo was charged because prosecutors said the pair in the car were no longer a threat when he climbed on to the bonnet of their car and fired 15 shots through the windscreen in 7.4 seconds.Only Mr Brelo was charged because prosecutors said the pair in the car were no longer a threat when he climbed on to the bonnet of their car and fired 15 shots through the windscreen in 7.4 seconds.
But the judge said that as other officers had fired in a 137-shot barrage, he could not rule beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Brelo was responsible for the deaths.But the judge said that as other officers had fired in a 137-shot barrage, he could not rule beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Brelo was responsible for the deaths.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John O'Donnell also cleared Mr Brelo of the lesser count of felonious assault.Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John O'Donnell also cleared Mr Brelo of the lesser count of felonious assault.
The judge said he would not "sacrifice" Mr Brelo if the evidence did not warrant conviction.The judge said he would not "sacrifice" Mr Brelo if the evidence did not warrant conviction.
"Guilty or not guilty, the verdict should be no cause for a civilised society to celebrate or riot," he said."Guilty or not guilty, the verdict should be no cause for a civilised society to celebrate or riot," he said.
County prosecutor Timothy McGinty said he was "profoundly disappointed" with the verdict.
Russell's sister, Michele, said Mr Brelo would not "dodge this just because he was acquitted. God will have the final say."
Art McCoy of the Black Man Army, a coalition of black leaders, told Associated Press: "We will get justice. We are not happy with this verdict."Art McCoy of the Black Man Army, a coalition of black leaders, told Associated Press: "We will get justice. We are not happy with this verdict."
Mr Brelo had faced up to 22 years in jail if convicted of voluntary manslaughter.Mr Brelo had faced up to 22 years in jail if convicted of voluntary manslaughter.
The incident occurred when the car, a Chevy Malibu, backfired while speeding past Cleveland police HQ, and officers thought a gun had been discharged.The incident occurred when the car, a Chevy Malibu, backfired while speeding past Cleveland police HQ, and officers thought a gun had been discharged.
Some 62 police cars were then involved in a 22-mile chase at speeds up to 100 mph.Some 62 police cars were then involved in a 22-mile chase at speeds up to 100 mph.
Both Russell and Williams had previous convictions and a crack pipe was found in the car.Both Russell and Williams had previous convictions and a crack pipe was found in the car.
Mr Brelo's lawyer said his client had risked his life during the chase. Mr Brelo's lawyer, Patrick D'Angelo, said his client had risked his life during the chase and that the prosecution of the case was "vicious and unprofessional".
There have been a number of police shooting deaths in the US that have sparked race-related protests.There have been a number of police shooting deaths in the US that have sparked race-related protests.
The two most serious were in Ferguson, Missouri, and in Baltimore.The two most serious were in Ferguson, Missouri, and in Baltimore.
In April, Freddie Gray died in hospital a week after Baltimore police had taken him into custody.In April, Freddie Gray died in hospital a week after Baltimore police had taken him into custody.
His death sparked weeks of protests and later riots and looting in the city.His death sparked weeks of protests and later riots and looting in the city.
In Ferguson, teenager Michael Brown was killed last August by a white police officer. The death sparked protests and there was further unrest after a grand jury's decision not to charge the officer.In Ferguson, teenager Michael Brown was killed last August by a white police officer. The death sparked protests and there was further unrest after a grand jury's decision not to charge the officer.