Ford supporters to Zappala: Drop these charges!

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Holding his grandson on his shoulder, Leon Ford Sr. stared into a television camera this morning and called on Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala to drop the remaining charges against his son, Leon Ford Jr., who was acquitted last month of assault charges against the police officer who shot him multiple times, leaving him paralyzed.
“Next month it will be two years since we found out he couldn’t walk, But I said that’s alright, we’ll share my legs. Now, we’re going to share my mouth,” he said. “Stephen Zappala, you have kids? Drop these charges. I’m Leon Ford Sr. My son is Leon Ford Jr. And this is number three.”

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Stephen Zappala

Ford was joined at the Freedom Corner rally for his son by several family members and community supporters, including Democratic state Reps. Jake Wheatley and Ed Gainey, and Black Political Empowerment Project Chairman Tim Stevens.
Stevens prefaced his remarks by saying he believes the new Pittsburgh police Chief Cameron McLay and new safety Director Stephen Bucar are genuinely committed to curbing police abuse of power, then challenged Zappala to do the same.
“All we know is that had these officers followed procedure, Leon Ford would not be in a wheelchair today,” he said. “Leon Ford will never walk again, he doesn’t need to walk into prison.”
For was pulled over for a traffic violation Nov. 11, 2012 by Pittsburgh police officers who, despite seen his driver’s license and owner’s card for the vehicle, were convinced he was a wanted felon named Lamont Ford.
The situation escalated until officers physically attempted to pull him from the car. As he resisted one officer, David Derbish, climbed into the passenger seat and tried to loosen Ford’s grip on the gearshift. The car took off, and Derbish shot Ford five times. He then charged the now disabled young man with aggravated assault on an officer, resisting arrest, fleeing police and reckless endangerment.
Though they acquitted Ford of the most serious charge, the trial jury deadlocked on the remaining charges. Because the district attorney has the option to re-file on those offenses, Common Pleas Judge Donald Machen refused a request by Ford’s lawyers to dismiss them.
While that put the ball back in Zappala’s court. It also leaves a Machen’s original gag order in place, which means Ford cannot say anything to assist in the pending federal lawsuit he filed against the officers and the city of Pittsburgh.
Because of that—and possible first amendment violation issues, Machen is not going to let prosecutors “sit” on the case for a year. He told Assistant District Attorney Robert Schupansky was wants a status report Oct.  21. At that time, he will also hold a “fairness hearing” on whether or not to lift the gag order.

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