No Charges Against Cop Who Fatally Shot Quintonio LeGrier, Bettie Jones

By Stephen Gossett in News on Feb 10, 2017 11:08PM

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 27: LaTonya Jones, the daughter of Bettie Jones holds a picture of her mother during a vigil outside her home on December 27, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. Bettie Jones was shot and killed yesterday at the front door of her home by police responding to a domestic dispute call made by her upstairs neighbor. Quintonio LeGrier, was also killed by police during the incident. The father of LeGrier, a 19-year-old college student who was home for the holidays, called police when his son was being unruly in the family home. Police have said Jones's death was an accident. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The Cook County State’s Attorney announced on Friday that the office would not bring criminal charges against the police officer who fatally shot Quintonio LeGrier and Bettie Jones in 2015.

There was not enough evidence to prove that the officer responsible, Robert Rialmo, did not fire in self-defense, according to a statement released by State’s Attorney Kim Foxx on Friday. “The Office reviewed the evidence collected during the investigation to determine whether there was a basis for filing criminal charges,” Foxx said. “After thorough review, the Office of the Cook County State’s Attorney has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Officer Rialmo did not act in self-defense in shooting LeGrier and Jones.”

Foxx also reiterated in the statement that she was not responsible for reviewing this specific case as her previous employer, the law firm of Power, Rogers & Smith, represented Jones’ family. First Assistant Eric Sussman performed as Acting State’s Attorney in lieu of Foxx.

Still, the determination prompted sharp anti-Foxx outcry from some activists.

Rialmo shot and killed LeGrier, 19, and Jones, 55, after he, along with other officers, responded to a call of a teen wielding a baseball bat on the early morning of the day after Christmas, 2015. LeGrier allegedly had the bat, but Jones, his neighbor, merely happened to open her door during the shooting, according to reports.

LeGrier’s family sued the city of Chicago after a racially charged text conversation involving Rialmo emerged. Rialmo also sued LeGrier’s family, claiming the officer had suffered "emotional distress" from the incident.

Cook County State's Attorney's Office's published a report outlining the decision not to charge. It can be read here.

Here is Foxx's statement in full:

"The Office of the Cook County State’s Attorney has reviewed the investigation surrounding the shooting deaths of Quintonio LeGrier and Bettie Jones on December 26, 2015 by Chicago Police Officer Robert Rialmo. The investigation into the shooting was conducted by the Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Illinois State Police. The Office of the Cook County State’s Attorney is the agency responsible for making criminal charging decisions under Illinois law for incidents that occur in Cook County. The Office reviewed the evidence collected during the investigation to determine whether there was a basis for filing criminal charges. After thorough review, the Office of the Cook County State’s Attorney has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Officer Rialmo did not act in self-defense in shooting LeGrier and Jones.

The purpose of the review was solely to examine whether the conduct of Officer Rialmo was unlawful. The State’s Attorney’s review specifically does not address issues related to tactics, whether Officer Rialmo followed police procedures, whether he should be subject to discipline, his employment status, or the merits of any civil litigation. Any questions regarding those matters should be directed to the Chicago Police Department and the Independent Police Review Authority.

State’s Attorney Kim Foxx played no role in reviewing this case, or in the decision announced today. The State’s Attorney’s previous employer, Power, Rogers & Smith, represents the estate of Bettie Jones. Given the State’s Attorney’s previous employment with Power, Rogers & Smith, she has recused herself from this case. First Assistant Eric Sussman was designated Acting State’s Attorney for this matter."