The NAACP is asking the Department of Justice to investigate the death of Jim Rogers, a 54-year-old Black man who died in an October 2021 incident with a Pittsburgh police officer.
Mr Rogers died a day after police officer Keith Edmonds shocked him repeatedly with a Taser.
“Jim Rogers deserves better, and black Americans deserve better,” said Janet McCarthy Wallace, general counsel for the NAACP. statement.
“But the sad reality is that our communities continue to endure pain and suffering at the hands of those tasked with serving and protecting us. I listened to their stories,” she added. “One thing is clear: without accountability, there can be no progress.”
The encounter began when Edmonds responded to a report of a stolen bicycle. When they arrived at the scene, they encountered Rogers.
body camera footage Footage released in January shows a confused-looking Rodgers with his hands in the air as Edmonds approaches.
Edmunds demands to know if Rogers stole his bike. Mr Rogers denied stealing the bike and believed he had been given the bike, he said.
Rogers added: “I don’t have a weapon.”
Edmonds asks Rogers for his wallet before taking Rogers’ wallet from his pocket, at which point Rogers attempts to retrieve it.
Edmonds immediately shoved Rodgers to the ground and yelled, “What did I say?” What did I say? Please come to the ground. What did I say? “
“I understand. Okay, I’m listening,” Rogers began repeating. “I’m listening to you. I’m listening to you, sir.”
Edmonds then threatened Rogers with a Taser and said, “Put your hands behind your back or I’ll fire the Taser.”
“Okay, I’m really sorry,” Rodgers replied. “I didn’t do anything.”
Edmonds then applies a Taser directly to Rogers’ back, shocking him. Less than 30 seconds later, as Roger tried to escape, Edmonds shocked him again. Rodgers is seen collapsing onto the grass.
When Rodgers tries to run again, Edmonds shocks him again. Rogers then collapses on the street and begins muttering incomprehensibly.
A neighbor who witnessed the incident asked the officer to give Rogers time to “compose,” but Edmonds told the neighbor to “stand back.”
In total, Edmonds delivered at least 10 bursts of electricity within 3 minutes and 15 seconds.
As Rogers was placed in the back seat of the police car, the video shows him clearly having trouble breathing. For 17 minutes, Rodgers repeatedly slammed his head against the cage behind him. At multiple points, Rodgers can be heard screaming in pain.
But officers at the scene told Rogers to relax and that medical personnel were on their way, according to the video.
Medical personnel never arrived, and police rendered no aid to Rogers. As Rogers continued to call for help, the officer told him that if he kept screaming for no reason, he was going to open the window.
Rogers was ultimately taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital, but there was another hospital nearby.
Rogers died the next day. The Allegheny County Coroner’s Office said Rogers died from a lack of oxygen to the brain, but his death was ruled an accident.
Five officers, including Edmonds, who were fired after Rogers’ death have since rejoined the force. One police officer attended the arbitration, while a fifth police officer retired.
In a letter to Kristen Clark, the assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Justice Department, the NAACP called the incident “deeply disturbing.”
“Although Mr. Rogers was unarmed and did not appear to pose a threat, Officer Edmond taped Mr. Rogers 10 times,” the letter states. “Despite Mr. Rogers’ repeated requests for help, police failed to promptly transport Mr. Rogers to the nearest hospital and failed to provide adequate medical assistance. Additionally, local prosecutors have filed criminal charges against the officers. According to reports, the city has reinstated three of the four officers involved. Without federal intervention, the officers will not be held accountable for their actions.”
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. convened a grand jury investigation into Rogers’ death, but no charges were filed. But the city settled a federal lawsuit with Rogers’ estate last year for $8 million.
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