By Rachel Godin
Today a five-person multi-racial, interfaith group of clergy called on Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty to step down from the Tamir Rice case and appoint a special prosecutor.
The prosecutor's office has the responsibility of investigating and pursuing justice in use of deadly force cases by local law enforcement.
Among the clergy was Reverend Dr.Jawanza Colvin, Pastor at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church.
He says the group wants an immediate response from the prosecutor's office, “As we anticipate an outcome, regardless of what that outcome is, whether it might be embraced or of concern to some, that the process is done in such a way that fairness and justice, as we move toward the question of innocence and guilt, becomes the prevailing idea that moves this process forward.”
He also says calls for McGinty to step aside are important in light of the national spotlight on the issues between law enforcement and communities of color.
The group presented their requests in a letter that will be mailed to the prosecutor's office.
It details factors that led the group to conclude that public trust in the legal process is compromised due to because of actions taken by the prosecutor.
View the letter here.
Some of the clergy include:
- Rev. Dr. Jawanza Colvin, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Cleveland
- Rev. Dr. William Myers, New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Cleveland
- Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk, Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, Beachwood
- Rev. Dr. Ken Chalker, University Circle United Methodist Church, Cleveland
- Rev. Joseph Cherry, Unitarian Universalist Society of Cleveland