Blake was shot several times in the back on August 23rd. The shooting paralyzed him from the waist down and led to violent protests, riots and looting.
WARNING: Disturbing video – Kenosha police shoot captured on video
The officer involved in the shooting, who has been identified by authorities as Officer Rusten Sheskey, or any other officers, or Blake himself, will stand trial on any charges, District Attorney Michael Gravely said Tuesday afternoon.
WATCH: Kenosha DA announces indictment
Gravely and his team took nearly two hours to contextualize a domestic incident. Gravely described how the mother of Blake’s children, Laquisha Booker, called 911 to report that Blake had taken the keys to her rental car and was planning to take off with the vehicle and their children. He played the sound of the 911 call to the press.
Police arrived with the knowledge that there was an arrest warrant for Blake, and Gravely confirmed that Blake had a knife on, which they said was recognized according to state investigators.
WATCH: Legal analysts discuss Kenosha indictment
The use of force expert and former Madison police chief Noble Wray said officers’ actions that day were in line with police training and protocol.
“They had no choice, and pulled the firearms after the physical measures did not work,” Wray said.
Seriously maintained that he would not be able to convince a jury that Officer Sheskey did not fear for his life at that moment, or that others would not be harmed if he did not act in self-defense.
“If there is enough information to incite self-defense, the burden of proof is on the state, it is up to the prosecutor to refute self-defense. We will therefore have to refute the clear expression of these officers that they had to fire a weapon. to defend, they must refute the negative, ‘he said.
Sheskey and the other officers who were at the scene were placed on administrative leave and are currently staying for administrative leave, police said.
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“It really illustrates why these cases against police officers are so difficult to bring, because they have to show that the government has to show that the police officer does not reasonably believe that lethal force is necessary to prevent his death or his serious bodily injury. evidence here, showed that there was a knife that in my opinion was not in dispute, ‘said ABC7’s legal analyst Gil Soffer. “And so the government must show that the officer did not reasonably fear that Jacob Blake would knife against them would not use. “Clearly, they came to the conclusion that they could not prove it.”
Chicago and Wisconsin defense attorney Anthony Burch said if a jury looks at what happened here this past summer, they could determine that the police are criminally heavy-handed.
“What was the level of threat to him? One way to describe it might not be that Mr Blake tried to flee. That might be an argument, he was trying to defuse the situation,” Burch said.
Burch’s removal of the unusual public closing argument by the prosecutor is that he could have won it during the trial.
“The facts presented by the State Attorney during this press conference could have been presented in a different way, where a statement of the case could have led to a conviction against Sheskey officers,” he said.
Gravely personally called Blake to tell him that no complaint would be filed. Blake’s family was sad and angry.
“This is a slap in the face to the Wisconsin government and DA that perpetuates systemic racism. Where was justice?” says Justin Blake, Jacob’s uncle. “It’s 2021; we’re going to call everything for what it is. He was a racist. He attempted to murder my nephew. He should be fired, charged and convicted.”
They marched for months demanding that they be charged, but this did not happen.
“We are unhappy with what was said today. We expected it; it did not turn us off or jump from the back. We understood what was going to come when they called in the National Guard,” Blake’s father, Jacob Blake Sr. speaks after the announcement in Chicago.
Blake’s uncle, Kenosha’s family and community organizers led a rally on Tuesday night after the verdict.
“Every day we get up and put on our boots and start fighting because we have no choice,” Justin Blake said.
WATCH: Jacob Blake’s uncle reacts to the decision not to charge police officers
Blake’s attorney said he was the victim that night and the video proves it.
“Shooting an individual seven times while walking away from an officer has fulfilled all the elements of premeditated murder,” said B’Ivory Lamarr, lawyer.
There is an ongoing federal civil rights investigation into the shooting, and the family said they also plan to pursue a civil case.
KYK: Jacob Blake, Sr. talk in Chicago
Justin Blake and activists also noted that while awaiting the outcome of Jacob’s case, this fight has always been bigger than the police of Jacob Blake and Kenosha.
“The power is in us to make change if you really believe what this government is built on,” Justin Blake said.
Benjamin Crump, one of the attorneys representing Blake, issued a statement after the ruling was announced, saying in part: “We are extremely disappointed with District Attorney Michael Gravely’s decision in Kenosha not to release the officers involved. we feel that this decision is not only Jacob and his family, but also the community that demanded protest and justice.The actions of Officer Sheskey sparked outrage and advocacy across the country , but the district attorney’s decision not to charge the officer who shot Jacob several times in the back, leaving him paralyzed, further destroys confidence in our legal system, sending the wrong message to police officers across the country. says it’s OK for the police to abuse their power and recklessly shoot their weapon, destroying the life of someone trying to protect his children. “
Kenosha City Council unanimously voted Monday night to approve an emergency statement that takes effect immediately after the decision. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers also authorized the Wisconsin National Guard to help control any civil unrest.
Government Evers issued a statement following the indictment, saying in part: ‘Today’s decision is further proof that our work has not been done – we must work hard every day for a fairer, fairer and fairer state and country, and to combat the racism experienced by the Black Wisconsinites. I hope for peace and justice for Jacob, his family and the entire Kenosha community. I reaffirm my commitment to action to build a more just, just state for every Wisconsinite. And I ask those who will use their right to come together tonight and in the coming days to please do so peacefully and safely. ‘
RELATED: Complete timeline of the Jacob Blake shooting, protests, unrest
Calls for justice have now stretched over seasons. In sweltering summer heat to icy winter evenings, activists surrounded the now snow-covered streets of Kenosha and demanded that the officer be fired.
“Based on what has happened in our country, it will probably not go in Jacob’s favor because they do not value our lives. They value the properties and businesses,” said Tanya McLean, an activist with Kenosha leaders. , said.
Mayor John Antaramian and Chief of Police Daniel Miskinis said they were working on plans to protect peaceful protests and prevent unrest such as the days in the days after the shooting.
The Blake family staged a small protest on Tuesday night, but said they did not support any violence in the aftermath of the decision.
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Some Kenosha businesses have gone up again in anticipation of the levy decision.
“It’s an uncomfortable feeling. We do not know what is going to happen,” said Ajillian Burrell-Warfield. Her husband helped re-install plates to protect her hair salon, Textures RX.
“I picked them up for the holidays so I could put on holiday decorations and try to be normal again,” Burrell-Warfield said.
They hope to be spared a repeat of the civil unrest and destruction that followed for weeks thereafter.
“They burst our windows, and our equipment burst,” said Colleen Gimik, of Jackson Hewitt. “My hope is that people from outside our communities stay outside our community.”
Justin Blake said his nephew is focused on his recovery and an inspiration to his family. He wanted to encourage the community to come together in his case for justice. He said they were hoping for charges in this case but pleaded with the community to remain peaceful.
“People have the right to be upset,” Justin Blake said. “We just ask them to be upset today and make a lot of noise with the Blake family, without being destructive.”
Kyle Rittenhouse pleaded not guilty Tuesday to shoot two people dead and injure a third during the riots in Kenosha last summer.
Chicago police are also watching for any outbursts following the Blake decision.
In a statement, CPD said it was closely monitoring events in Kenosha and that the appropriate resources and staff levels were being maintained to keep the city safe.
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