Cleveland Officer Found Not Guilty In Shooting Death Of Teenager

A judge in Cleveland ruled today that a Cleveland Division of Police officer was not guilty of misdemeanor charges in the shooting death of a black Cleveland teenager two years ago. Municipal Court Judge Michael Sliwinski read his verdict to a packed courtroom. Police officers sat behind the defendant on one side and on the other side - the family of the victim, Brandon Jones.

“The court finds that the state failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant negligently caused the death of Brandon Jones, therefore find the defendant not guilty," said Sliwinski.

The prosecution argued that Cleveland Officer Alan Buford handled his gun carelessly when he approached Jones, who was suspected by Buford and his partner Gregory King of burglarizing a store at around 2 a.m. in Glenville in March of 2015. Prosecutors also argued Buford was wrong to think his life was in danger. King testified that the situation was not life threatening. But, the judge said, since both officers approached Jones with their fingers on the trigger, as they were trained to do, Officer Buford’s conduct was not negligent.

Outside the courtroom, Jones’ mother, Tanya Brown, spoke briefly to reporters.

“I knew he was going to be found not guilty. I prayed and wished for better,” said Brown.

A reporter there asked her: “What made you think he was going to be found not guilty?”

“There’s no justice," said Brown.

After the verdict, Brown's lawyer, Paul Christallo, said the family will continue with its lawsuit against Officer Buford and the police department.

“His partner testified that there was no justification for the use of deadly force. You never have that. And you can’t find him guilty of negligent homicide. This isn’t a felony charge. We can’t even get a conviction on a misdemeanor charge. Of course we’re disappointed,” said Christallo.

The charges against Buford carried a possible 6-month prison sentence. He’s been on administrative leave since his indictment and his lawyer plans to seek his reinstatement to active duty.