March 6, 2000
Attorney for Officer
in Diallo Case Meets with Justice Department
Police union leaders and the attorney
for one of the four officers acquitted in the Amadou Diallo shooting
took their case to Washington D.C Monday.
Attorney Stephen Worth, who represented Officer Edward McMellon,
and Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch met
with Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder for about thirty minutes.
The group filed a brief on behalf of the four officers, saying
they acted in good faith and that race played no role in Diallo's
shooting. They asked for an expedited review, and Holder said a
decision would be made in a matter of weeks.
An Albany jury acquitted the four officers of all charges last
month. The undercover officers shot Diallo in the vestibule of
his Bronx apartment in February 1999 because they thought the West
African immigrant was carrying a gun.
Diallo was unarmed at the time of the shooting.
The Diallo family, along with the Reverend Al Sharpton, met with
Holder last Thursday while supporters staged a rally outside. The
family has been calling for federal criminal charges to be filed
against the officers.
Holder assured the delegation that the Justice Department is looking
into the case, but made no guarantees.
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