This week, a jury will hear a case that recently made headlines across the nation. The case involves the fatal shooting of a handcuffed man by a police officer.
On the evening of January 4th, Lamia Christian, a 23-year-old Black man, was seen walking barefoot in a residential neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Police officers on the scene responded to a disturbance call and approached Christian, who was reportedly found to be in possession of a gun. Despite complying and being handcuffed, Christian was shot and killed by a police officer.
The Tulsa Police Department has stated that it believes the shooting was justified as its officers were acting in self-defense. However, the family of Christian are disputing the police department’s narrative and have filed a lawsuit against the department.
This week, the case will be heard by a jury. They will decide whether or not the officer’s actions in the shooting were criminal or justified.
This case is especially relevant given the recent wave of protests calling for police accountability sparked by the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. As such, it will be closely watched by hundreds of thousands of people in the US and abroad.
No matter the verdict, the jury’s decision will have implications for police reform efforts and the growing national discussion around police brutality. It will also likely set a precedent in terms of how police officers should handle similar cases in the future. Moreover, it will be a significant moment for racial justice, as it will signal police departments’ willingness to hold its officers accountable and to facilitate meaningful change.
The jury’s decision is expected to be reached within days. Until then, people across the US will be watching to see how justice will be served in the case of Lamia Christian.