It appears to be close to impossible for police officers to be convicted of murder when the victims are unarmed Black men. According to NBC News, Officer Matt Kenny will not be charged with the murder of Tony Robinson Jr., 19.
On March 6, Robinson was reportedly high on Xanax, mushrooms and marijuana and was assaulting people and jumping in front of cars. When authorities arrived on the scene, Kenny claimed that he was attacked by Robinson. Kenny shot Robinson seven times and killed him on the scene. Robinson was unarmed.
Robinson’s death led to protests and marches in Madison, Wisconsin. However, District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, Wisconsin’s first Black D.A., did not charge Kenny with a crime.
Ozanne said that he based his decisions on “the facts.” But there appears to be a grey area regarding the proper use of deadly force. A dash cam video shows Kenny shooting Robinson seven times in a matter of three seconds. It seems probable that it was excessive considering Robinson was unarmed.
Robinson’s family has hired a Chicago-based law firm and will file a lawsuit against the police department.
