No charges for white officer who shot black man in back
AP, KENOSHA, Wisconsin
A Wisconsin prosecutor on Tuesday declined to file charges against a white police officer who shot a black man in the back in Kenosha, concluding he could not disprove the officer’s contention that he acted in self-defense because he feared the man would stab him.
The decision, met with swift criticism from civil rights advocates and some public officials, threatened to reignite protests that rocked the city after the Aug. 23 shooting that left Jacob Blake paralyzed.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, called the decision “further evidence that our work is not done,” and called for people to work together for equity.
Family members speak out
Hunter Hetland was 15 when his father was murdered. His sister, Brooke, was just 8 years old.
âMy sister and I have no father to look up to at this point in our lives,â Hunter told the court.
Hunter added his father would not be there to cheer him on as he accepted his high school diploma and many other life events.
He lamented the many lost teaching moments that arise from a close father-son relationship and noted he would have to teach himself.
Hunter said he could not forgive Ward at this point and added that Wardâs own poor choices were responsible for where he ended up in life.
9 photos from sentencing of Dalquavis Ward in the killing of John Hetland
Dalquavis Ward sentencing
Shelly LeGath, John Hetlandâs sister, reads her victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing for Dalquavis Ward on Friday afternoon. She wears a wristband with Hetlandâs name on it and his End Of Watch date: June 17, 2019. Pool Photo / Mark Hertzberg / ZUMA Press Wire
Dalquavis Ward sentencing
Raciner County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Boyle sentences Dalquavis Ward to life in prison without the chance for parole on Friday in Racine. Pool Photo / Mark Hertzberg / ZUMA Press Wire
Dalquavis Ward sentencing
Dalquavis Ward shakes hands with one of his public defenders, Kristyne Watson, after his sentencing Friday afternoon. Ward, who shot and killed off-duty Racine Police Officer John Hetland in June 17, 2019 at Teezers Bar & Grill, 1936 Lathrop Ave., Racine, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.