No state charges will be filed against a Seneca police officer who killed Zachary Hammond in an undercover drug operation in July.
[h=3]MORE
[/h]
[h=4]Complete coverage of Zachary Hammond case[/h]
Since Seneca teenager Zachary Hammond was shot and killed by Seneca Police Lt. Mark Tiller on July in a Hardee's parking lot on July 26, FOX Carolina has reported on the investigation with in-depth, complete coverage.
Below are past stories on the case, starting with the first report:
Continue reading >>
The decision was made by Tenth Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams. Adams' decision comes in the wake of the shooting death of Hammond, 19, who was shot twice inside his car in a Hardee's parking lot on July 26.
Adams said in a statement:
"I have completed my review of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s (SLED) investigation into the shooting death of Zachary Hammond on July 26, 2015 in Seneca, South Carolina. After careful consideration of the facts of the case, a thorough review of the State investigation, and an extensive review of all applicable law, I have determined that no criminal charges should be filed against Lt. Mark Tiller at the State level. I met with the Hammond family today and have informed them of this decision."
Read Adams' full statement here. Adams said a letter about her decision and request to close the state's case has been forwarded to SLED.
At the request of U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles, Adams said she would not release additional information while federal authorities make their charging determination.
Federal authorities began investigating the shooting back in August after the attorney for the Hammond family sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and FBI Director James Corney requesting a civil rights investigation.
Attorneys for Hammond's family said an autopsy showed that he was shot in the back, but the officer said that he shot Hammond in self defense.
Lieutenant Mark Tiller claims Hammond drove at him during an undercover drug operation. Tiller is now on administrative leave.
Tiller's attorney John Mussetto released the following statement on behalf of his client in the wake of Adams' decision to not press charges against him, reading quote:
"Lt. Tiller agrees with the outcome of the investigation. As stated from day one, Lt. Tiller acted in self-defense and the decision today supports this position."
In a letter to the media on Aug. 5, attorneys representing Hammond's family raised questions after Seneca Police Chief Covington did not immediately release Tiller's name and claimed that authorities, including Adams and SLED had not been provided information about the incident.
SLED released the dashcam video of the shooting on Tuesday Oct. 27 as part of a FOIA request by FOX Carolina. Watch it here.
Hammond's father, Paul Hammond, said Tuesday that it's wrong that his son was killed. Watch the Hammonds and their attorney respond to Adams' decision here.
Lawyers said they agree with the findings, but a federal case and charges pending.
earlier in October, Hammond’s family filed a petition with the state Supreme Court to have S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson remove Adams from the Hammond case due to what attorneys cited as numerous conflicts of interest, including comments that she has reportedly made in court and because a case involves a law enforcement member within her judicial circuit. The high court later issued a decision denying that request.
The Hammonds have also filed a civil lawsuit against the Seneca Police Department and Tiller.
City responds to solicitor's decision
After Adams' announcement, Seneca City Administrator Greg Dietterick said in a statement that it was time for Seneca to begin to heal.
"The past three months have been extremely difficult for the residents of Seneca, its city employees and the 45 members of its police force. While the effects of outside agitators to tear apart our community lingers, we are thankful the investigation has come to an end and shows Lt. Tiller was acting in self-defense," Dietterick said.
He called the night a "tragic event" for the community, saying that he grieved for the Hammond family and added thanks for "the hard work of the local and state investigators who handled the cases expertly and professionally.
Dietterick expressed appreciation to Adams, Seneca Police Chief John Covington and other city officials.
"It is now time to start healing Seneca," Dietterick said.
Click here to read complete coverage of the investigation into the shooting. And stay with FOX Carolina and foxcarolina.com for more on this developing story.
Read more: http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/30...charged-in-teens-shooting-death#ixzz3pnzNuplU
[h=3]MORE
[/h]
[h=4]Complete coverage of Zachary Hammond case[/h]
Since Seneca teenager Zachary Hammond was shot and killed by Seneca Police Lt. Mark Tiller on July in a Hardee's parking lot on July 26, FOX Carolina has reported on the investigation with in-depth, complete coverage.
Below are past stories on the case, starting with the first report:
Continue reading >>
The decision was made by Tenth Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams. Adams' decision comes in the wake of the shooting death of Hammond, 19, who was shot twice inside his car in a Hardee's parking lot on July 26.
Adams said in a statement:
"I have completed my review of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s (SLED) investigation into the shooting death of Zachary Hammond on July 26, 2015 in Seneca, South Carolina. After careful consideration of the facts of the case, a thorough review of the State investigation, and an extensive review of all applicable law, I have determined that no criminal charges should be filed against Lt. Mark Tiller at the State level. I met with the Hammond family today and have informed them of this decision."
Read Adams' full statement here. Adams said a letter about her decision and request to close the state's case has been forwarded to SLED.
At the request of U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles, Adams said she would not release additional information while federal authorities make their charging determination.
Federal authorities began investigating the shooting back in August after the attorney for the Hammond family sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and FBI Director James Corney requesting a civil rights investigation.
Attorneys for Hammond's family said an autopsy showed that he was shot in the back, but the officer said that he shot Hammond in self defense.
Lieutenant Mark Tiller claims Hammond drove at him during an undercover drug operation. Tiller is now on administrative leave.
Tiller's attorney John Mussetto released the following statement on behalf of his client in the wake of Adams' decision to not press charges against him, reading quote:
"Lt. Tiller agrees with the outcome of the investigation. As stated from day one, Lt. Tiller acted in self-defense and the decision today supports this position."
In a letter to the media on Aug. 5, attorneys representing Hammond's family raised questions after Seneca Police Chief Covington did not immediately release Tiller's name and claimed that authorities, including Adams and SLED had not been provided information about the incident.
SLED released the dashcam video of the shooting on Tuesday Oct. 27 as part of a FOIA request by FOX Carolina. Watch it here.
Hammond's father, Paul Hammond, said Tuesday that it's wrong that his son was killed. Watch the Hammonds and their attorney respond to Adams' decision here.
Lawyers said they agree with the findings, but a federal case and charges pending.
earlier in October, Hammond’s family filed a petition with the state Supreme Court to have S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson remove Adams from the Hammond case due to what attorneys cited as numerous conflicts of interest, including comments that she has reportedly made in court and because a case involves a law enforcement member within her judicial circuit. The high court later issued a decision denying that request.
The Hammonds have also filed a civil lawsuit against the Seneca Police Department and Tiller.
City responds to solicitor's decision
After Adams' announcement, Seneca City Administrator Greg Dietterick said in a statement that it was time for Seneca to begin to heal.
"The past three months have been extremely difficult for the residents of Seneca, its city employees and the 45 members of its police force. While the effects of outside agitators to tear apart our community lingers, we are thankful the investigation has come to an end and shows Lt. Tiller was acting in self-defense," Dietterick said.
He called the night a "tragic event" for the community, saying that he grieved for the Hammond family and added thanks for "the hard work of the local and state investigators who handled the cases expertly and professionally.
Dietterick expressed appreciation to Adams, Seneca Police Chief John Covington and other city officials.
"It is now time to start healing Seneca," Dietterick said.
Click here to read complete coverage of the investigation into the shooting. And stay with FOX Carolina and foxcarolina.com for more on this developing story.
Read more: http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/30...charged-in-teens-shooting-death#ixzz3pnzNuplU
Not based on what i saw.....car was clear of him when he shot and he was not in imminent danger unless he decided to jump in front of the car....
The cop who shot the kid who he pulled over for flashing his brights did not face any charges
http://thefreethoughtproject.com/17-year-boy-shot-killed-cops-flashing-headlights-flexing-rights/
.....i think this cop will also get away with it since he can argue that the kid tried to hit him with the car (or that is what he "feared")
The cop who shot the kid who he pulled over for flashing his brights did not face any charges
http://thefreethoughtproject.com/17-year-boy-shot-killed-cops-flashing-headlights-flexing-rights/
.....i think this cop will also get away with it since he can argue that the kid tried to hit him with the car (or that is what he "feared")
Yep, that's why he immediately says "He tried to hit me!!". Like you stated, "Feared for his own safety." That sentence right there I tell ya. It will get you outta some shit, especially if you are the popo.
And, you're correct, Solicitor released today she wouldn't be filing charges on the officer. A civil lawsuit to prove otherwise lives on for the teen's parents...Sad situation on both sides.
I noticed on cops that they would almost always yell stop resisting whenever they used any level of force. Turns out that is has been taught in training so that even if the subject wasn't resisting that witnesses would be likely to say they heard the officers yelling to stop resisting while delivering their beat down. They know and use every loophole as much or more than most criminals.
I admit I am biased in this subject. I recognize there are many good cops. But lots of power tripping bad ones just looking for an excuse IMO
I admit I am biased in this subject. I recognize there are many good cops. But lots of power tripping bad ones just looking for an excuse IMO
Lol, what is he supposed to do? Pull out a home-cooked cupcake for him and hand it to him through the window?
Amazing how liberals have corrupted the world. And it's the same reason why child molestors get a free roof, free food and just a few years in the clink and are released into the population.... fucking joke.
Was reading how the Japanese would have criminals dig a pit in a straight line and then have them kneel in front of the pit.... then the samurai sword came down and the heads rolled nicely into the pit. Then the other criminals who weren't scheduled for that day would push the bodies in and fill in the pit.
Nowadays you'd give all those criminals milk and cookies and ask, "Hey, bud, you want some cable? Anything else we can do for you?"
Amazing how liberals have corrupted the world. And it's the same reason why child molestors get a free roof, free food and just a few years in the clink and are released into the population.... fucking joke.
Was reading how the Japanese would have criminals dig a pit in a straight line and then have them kneel in front of the pit.... then the samurai sword came down and the heads rolled nicely into the pit. Then the other criminals who weren't scheduled for that day would push the bodies in and fill in the pit.
Nowadays you'd give all those criminals milk and cookies and ask, "Hey, bud, you want some cable? Anything else we can do for you?"
Funny, I was flipping through channels yesterday and saw 10 minutes of cops and thought the exact same thing. There are times when a guy or girl is just standing there not moving and even says "I'm not resisting" but the cop is throwing them around anyway and keeps saying stop resisting.
I'm not a cop but unless my life was in immediate danger, it would be really tough for me to shoot a kid.
Absolutely no reason at all the officer needed to shoot inside that window.
He did not have a weapon pointed at himself, and wasn't in danger of being run over.
Get your cowardly fat azz back im your vehicle & simply follow him with backup, eventually pulling him over & arresting him.
If you're that scared, in which you have to overreact, then you have no business in the field.
Although, ive never been a big fan of police chases either, because they are putting too many innocent people in danger...
He did not have a weapon pointed at himself, and wasn't in danger of being run over.
Get your cowardly fat azz back im your vehicle & simply follow him with backup, eventually pulling him over & arresting him.
If you're that scared, in which you have to overreact, then you have no business in the field.
Although, ive never been a big fan of police chases either, because they are putting too many innocent people in danger...
Correct. Being a Lieutenant, the officer should've known better. Every move he made was wrong, including the way he approached the car...
