The national media has been critical of the outcome in the Tamir Rice case.
Harsh headlines come two days after Cuyahoga County prosecutor Timothy McGinty revealed a grand jury declined to charge the two Cleveland Police Officers involved in the death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. McGinty also indicated he recommended that the grand jury not bring charges against Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback. Loehmann fired his weapon, striking Rice. Garmback was driving the police cruiser.
The New York Times posted an Op-Ed titled "Cleveland's Terrible Stain," Tuesday, arguing race influenced the shooting death of Tamir and the grand jury's decision. "Tamir, who was shot to death by a white police officer that day, had the misfortune of being black in a poor area of Cleveland, where the police have historically behaved as an occupying force that shoots first and asks questions later," the editorial board wrote. "Those forces hovered over the proceedings on Monday when a grand jury declined to indict Officer Timothy Loehmann in the killing and Timothy McGinty." The piece goes on to claim that the actions of the dispatcher, call taker and police on the day of Tamir's shooting reflect "an utter disregard for the lives of the city's black residents."
RELATED | Full coverage of the Tamir Rice case
Police Union President Steve Loomis, responded to the claims made in the Times opinion pieces, telling WKYC Channel 3's Hilary Golston over the phone. "I can't believe an educated editorial board wrote that opinion...their opinion is not based on fact. It's based on false narrative…that they have to push in a weak attempt to sell papers."
The Washington Post, through an editorial, took issue with the grand jury process. "The Tamir Rice case shows how prosecutors twist grand juries to protect police."
The author, Ari Melber, is critical of McGinty for seeking a non-indictment, and taking a defense oriented position --- rather than presenting neutral evidence for consideration. "In this case, McGinty used the grand jury as more of a sounding board for an exoneration of the potential defendants, rather than as a review of possible charges against them," Melber wrote.
Channel 3 has tried several times to reach McGinty for comment. Wednesday, his office said it would decline comment at this time.
The national criticism of how the case was handled comes in the context of calls for justice from local leaders.
A coalition of organizations including the Cleveland Renaissance Movement, It's Not a Moment It's a Movement, Black People in Progress, Nation of Islam, and other community-based organizations have demanded several actions take place in the wake of the grand jury's decision. Not only do they want the transcripts from the Grand Jury released, but they also want prosecutor McGinty removed from office. In the absence of the prosecutor's resignation, they plan to support another candidates for the office of county prosecutor.
The group also wants to review the Cleveland Police Patrolman's Association's contract with the city, so that officers who commit deadly acts can no longer remain on the force. The coalition believes the entire contract should be re-negotiated to comply with the consent decree currently in place with the department of Justice.
Cleveland City Councilman Jeff Johnson has also applied pressure in the Tamir Rice case, after the county grand jury took a pass on criminal charges. Johnson went directly to city law director, Barbara Langhenry, for redress --- asking her to charge Garmback and Loehmann with negligent homicide.
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