Posted on 03/07/2018 9:40:08 AM PST by Simon Green
Family and friends of a 15-year-old Springfield boy who was killed in November protested Wednesday a grand jury’s decision to not indict the man who shot him.
A Clark County grand jury voted unanimously this week to not indict Timothy Reed on any charges in connection with the death of William Allen “B.J.” Beverly Jr., according to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office.
Beverly was shot by Reed about 12:45 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Speedway gas station in the 1300 block of East Main Street, according to a grand jury findings document dated Monday, Feb. 26, and obtained by the Springfield News-Sun.
Reed told the grand jury Beverly attacked him without provocation and that he was defending himself, according to the grand jury findings.
The grand jury found he was neither an aggressor nor the initiator of the incident, the document says, and he possesses a valid concealed carry weapon license.
“Timothy Reed had a bona fide and reasonable belief that he was in immediate danger of death or serious bodily harm, and that the use of deadly force was necessary to escape that danger,” the grand jury findings say.
At least six people gathered outside the Clark County Common Pleas Courthouse on Wednesday with various signs saying, “You failed us,” and “BJ’s world.”
Beverly’s mother, Mandy Jackson, said she can’t believe the grand jury’s decision.
“I was shocked. I just couldn’t believe they didn’t charge him with something. My son was unarmed. He had no weapon,” Jackson said.
She learned Monday after the grand jury dismissed that Reed would not be charged. She said she doesn’t understand how Reed could be in fear if someone is punching you.
“He shot my son two times. We can say this stuff now because it’s technically over with but he shot my son twice,” Jackson said.
She wants to fight the decision. She’s currently talking with lawyers to see what other options she has for getting justice for her son.
Jackson said learning Reed won’t be charged is like hearing that her son is dead all over again.
Reed spoke to the Springfield News-Sun. While he’s relieved to not be facing prison, Reed said he also understands what Beverly’s family is going through because he lost his 1-year-old son a few years ago. Reed wants the family to know he’s sorry.
“I know the feeling and never would I want to wish death on anyone or see anyone die or see anyone grieve,” Reed said.
Clark County Prosecutor Andrew Wilson issued this statement in response to the grand jury’s decision.
“We are confident that all of the evidence and testimony regarding this incident were placed before the grand jury. The witnesses who testified included several of William’s friends who were present at the time of the shooting. The grand jury considered all of the facts before them and applied the evidence and testimony to the law of the State of Ohio.”
Translation: Maybe my son should not have attacked the victim, but the victim had no right to defend himself, with a gun.
Note to the mother: Maybe your son’s friends will realize that they should not attack anyone, and if they do it may be the very last thing they do. If that happens, then maybe your son did not die in vein.
So mama thinks her baby was wrongfully terminated because he was punching his victim versus using a knife or gun. Listen up, mama, you can’t assume anything when you are attacked; there was no way to know whether your kid was also carrying a weapon. Your baby so stupid...
I’m chuckling...
The pictures are posted and I haven’t changed my mind and (if the incident is as described) stand by the shooting as a lawful action.
This kid should have been at home, in bed, after midnight on Saturday night. He should not have been attacking a stranger. The world is safer with her "unarmed" son where he belongs.
If you check out the complete after-action assessment of the Parkland (Broward County) FL shooting, you will see that the School District Supervisor there and the County Sheriff had a mutual agreement NOT to arrest teenagers and bring them up on charges, because such detention statistics were making the schools look bad, and funding denied.
In many places now, that is a given for the teenager who knows that the juvenile law-breaker will no longer have to suffer a just punishment for his/her misdeeds. This malfunction of the penal process has spread far and wide, obviously in this case, too.
Here in Delaware, the girl instigating and effecting the school lavatory death-beating of another girl was eventually merely released, a few days ago, as had been her accomplices. What does that say to local "yutes"?
Reminds me of another OH self-defense killing. A guy's walking out of a mall, carrying a pair of prized sneakers he purchased. An armed "teen", with a buddy, stops him and demands the shoes.
The guy was a CCW, and responded in fear of the gun pointed at him, cleansing society.
The uncle of the deceased gave the same-old recital, adding, "It was going to be his last robbery before entering college/trade school, and [becoming a law-abiding citizen]."
Some family values.
More people are killed by hands than rifles.
>>And I also try very hard not to pass judgment,<<
The mindset you describe is a huge contributing factor in all that is wrong with our society, and especially with the criminal justice system. The very essence of a rational person is the ability to “pass judgment”.
That boy look peaky. He bin ailin’?
That boy is much younger than 15. And nice tatt, skank.
>>Your baby so stupid...<<
My only point of empathy for this kid is based on the fact that both of his parents failed to protect him from the evil influences to which children nowadays are subjected. They might just as well have encouraged him outright to go on the street and commit acts of violence.
He was scheduled to start turning his life around the next day. In fact, he was up and out after midnight at the local gas station to celebrate the new day arriving.............
+1
It’s probably been asked but, what was a 15 year old doing out after midnight?
"Justice for her son" = Money for Momma
Exactly. She should attack me and then maybe I’ll have time to explain it to her before she dies.
Don't bring bare fists to a gun fight.
She's lying. It's that simple. A violent assault is a violent assault, and she bloody well knows it.
These people are going to destroy Reed with legal bills via civil lawsuits. This is why I have concealed carry insurance. Some thug tries to kill me, I’m not going to have his worthless family bankrupt me afterwards.
***************
Hope the NRA or some legal defense fund takes up his case if he is sued. And people who are sued for shooting in self defense should be able to recover their legal fees — against the plaintiff’s attorney if necessary — if they prevail.
thanks...sorry...you’re right..but I still can’t find any decent details.
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