Are Cleveland's Cayahoga County prosecutors chasing conspiracy theories concerning cops wall of silence? A verdict in the voluntary manslaughter trial of Cleveland cop Michael Brelo is expected sometime this week.
51 year old Officer Brelo is charged in connection with a Nov. 29, 2012 police chase and shooting that ended in the deaths of Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams.
Throughout the month-long trial, prosecutors argued Brelo had the intent to kill when he jumped on the hood of Russell's 1979 Chevy Malibu and fired 15 final shots down at the two people. Defense attorneys argued that Brelo, like 12 other officers who also fired shots, was afraid for his life and justified in any use of force.
Before the trial began, 16 Cleveland policemen declined to meet with prosecutors to review their testimony about the officer's shooting of Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams. Seven officers exercised their 5th Amendment rights and refused to testify about Brelo.
PHOTO: AP
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