State of Injustice

An unflinching look at Ohio police abuse, prosecutorial misconduct, and political corruption.

Lead Investigator: @bzdug
Director/Editor: @RogerGlennHill

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

Please watch and share our pilot series examining police abuse in Euclid, Ohio.

Part 1: The Killing of Luke Stewart
An examination of a young man who was killed by Euclid police shortly after being woken up in his parked car.
https://t.co/Tlhfmtna5X

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

No punitive damages were awarded.

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

BREAKING:
Jury finds Matthew Rhodes reckless actions led to the death of #LukeStewart.

$4.4 million in compensatory damages awarded to Luke's mother, Mary.

Punitive damages will now be deliberated.

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

Update: We're heading that the jurors have elected to stay a little longer, and are aiming to come to a verdict today.

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

Jurors are currently in deliberation in the civil trial against Matthew Rhodes. If no verdict is reached by 2pm, the jury will resume tomorrow morning.

@cory_shaffer sums up the closing arguments in this article.

https://t.co/8auHuMYuia

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

#LukeStewart

https://t.co/SM4PCuprbI

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

https://t.co/SM4PCupZ1g

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

Set a reminder for tomorrow's Twitter Space here:

https://t.co/SM4PCupZ1g

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

Our producer @bzdug has been in court filming week one of the #LukeStewart civil trial.

Tomorrow at 4pm EST we're hosting a recap livestream and Twitter Space with fellow trial watcher, Mariah Crenshaw @ChasingJustice6

https://t.co/v3cUUm2UND

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

Look for more reporting on all the testimony throughout the week.

Please watch our pilot series on @TheRealNews, and consider supporting @bzdug with a few $ to cover parking fees and time in court.

https://t.co/CiX9eoEDp2

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

Rhodes' defense attorney, James A. Climer, put forward the argument that his client followed appropriate escalation of force procedures and that Rhodes was in fear for his life when deployed lethal force.

Climer insisted Stewart was an "imminent risk" to Rhodes and the public.

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

Sarah Gelsomino led for @FandGAttorneys, representing Mary Stewart, laying out the facts of Luke's death, and why it was the result of Rhodes' reckless behavior.

The story she tells is covered in our short documentary: The Killing of Luke Stewart

https://t.co/VREfVGjvTl

[TheContrabandWagon @ContrabandsM]

There are many of us working to get justice for those who have been murdered by the police. It's difficult work that often goes unacknowledged, is fraught w/ dangers, & is extremely costly. I applaud all who worked on this particular case summary, & I recommend everyone watch it.

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

This case was in front of Judge Gallagher last March, as covered by @cory_shaffer

https://t.co/f81gc13ZI3

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

"Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Shannon Gallagher found that qualified immunity does not protect officer Matthew Rhodes from facing the wrongful death lawsuit that Stewart’s family filed in state court."

via Cory Shaffer for @clevelanddotcom
https://t.co/YT4OyPMbep

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

Jury selection begins today in the civil trial against @Euclid_PD officer Matthew Rhodes, for the killing of #LukeStewart in 2017.

Judge Shannon Gallagher presiding.

Pictured: Rhodes and Law Director Kelley Sweeney.

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

Our pilot series on @TheRealNews focuses on Euclid, starting with the details of this case.

Stewart was sleeping in his car when Rhodes and his partner Louis Catalani approached.
https://t.co/g984Soz9HY

[Sarah Buduson @SarahBuduson]

Why can Officer Rhodes be sued?

Cuy. Co. Judge Shannon Gallagher found qualified immunity does not protect Rhodes from facing the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Stewart's family.

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

According to @nytmike and @mattapuzzo of New York Times, Ohio is one of a handful of states that has this law and there is little precedent that the invocation of this law by citizens has ever worked.

We hope they follow up with @richmontgomery on this.

https://t.co/VIavRvtNmz

[State of Injustice @StateInjustice]

"In December 2018, seven citizens from the city of Euclid used Ohio law (ORC 2935.09 and 2935.10) to petition a judge to arrest Amiott for the assault of Richard Hubbard."

An editorial from @richmontgomery, one of those citizens.

[Dr. Rich Montgomery @richmontgomery]

#PoliceBrutality #PoliceReform #BlackTwitter https://t.co/nxw2Wu0Tr8

[Simply Billy @billy_simply]

@POTUS It takes 5 years to find out that this pig did wrong? Will all be charged with dereliction of duty for not arresting their fellow officer for punching a handcuffed black man or no? What does your Executive Order for Law Enforcement actually do? https://t.co/pniZu0fbYg

[Walking The Wire @walkingwirepod]

Our co-host @bzdug first met Dr. Montgomery while conducting research and interviews for @StateInjustice pilot doc series profiling the Euclid PD.

Catch the Dr in parts 2 and 3:
https://t.co/LutoAtUp9E