Today marks the third day for the Charlotte Citizens Review Board’s hearing on whether CMPD should have disciplined Officer Brentley Vinson for fatally shooting Keith Lamont Scott last September.
The hearing was scheduled for two days but around 4 pm yesterday city spokesperson Jordan Ashley-Walker conveyed this from the review board:
“I talked to the attorney and he said there is not going to be a decision tonight,” Ashley-Walker said.
The hearing is similar to a trial with opening statements, witnesses, exhibits and videos. It is taking place behind closed doors and those involved are bound by state law not to talk about the hearing. Most review board members have jobs, so it is not known if all those present the past two days will be able to attend today. Ashley-Walker said, “It has to be at least six people to have a quorum so there’s at least that many people.”
Waiting for the board to make a decision was TeMako McCarthy. Her 21-year-old son, Lareko Williams, died after being shocked with a Taser twice in 2011 by CMPD officer Michael Forbes, who was not charged and is still on the force. McCarthy says she unsuccessfully tried to get a hearing before the review board, when it had fewer powers.
“It’s been some changes but at the time when I went through it, the Citizens Review Board didn’t do anything for me and I’d like them to go back in and open up my son’s case,” McCarthy said.
If the review board decides CMPD should discipline Officer Vinson, the chief could reverse or stick by his earlier decision. So could the city manager, who has the final word.
