In a high-profile verdict on Monday, former Columbus police officer Adam Coy was found guilty of murder in the fatal shooting of Andre Hill, an unarmed Black man. This case, which took place in Franklin County Court, has drawn significant attention since Hill’s tragic death in December 2020. The jury also convicted Coy of felonious assault and reckless homicide after deliberating for roughly two and a half days.
Andre’ Hill/Facebook]
Details of the Incident
The events unfolded on December 22, 2020, when Coy and his partner responded to a non-emergency call. During the encounter, Coy ordered Hill, a 47-year-old man, to step out of a garage. As Hill emerged, holding a cellphone and a set of keys, Coy opened fire, hitting Hill four times. Coy later claimed he feared for his life, mistakenly thinking that Hill was holding a silver revolver. In reality, the object in Hill’s hand was a set of silver keys.
Body camera footage, which captured the incident with a “look-back” feature despite Coy’s failure to activate his camera immediately, showed that Hill lay unassisted on the garage floor after being shot. The footage also depicted a woman exiting the house, telling officers that Hill was a guest bringing her Christmas money. She pleaded with officers, saying, “He didn’t do anything.”
Courtroom Proceedings
Throughout the trial, Coy defended his actions, stating that he genuinely believed Hill posed a threat. “I thought I was going to die,” an emotional Coy testified, recounting his fear at the moment. His defense team argued that Coy acted out of genuine belief in his safety, claiming the state failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Franklin County prosecutor Anthony Pierson, however, painted a different picture in his closing arguments. Pierson emphasized that Hill was following police commands when he was shot, highlighting that Hill’s compliance should not have led to his death. “This case is about a man who was following police orders and was killed for it,” Pierson stated, underscoring that Coy’s actions went against police training and standards.
The Aftermath and Sentencing
After the verdict, Judge Stephen L. McIntosh immediately revoked Coy’s $1 million bond, leading to Coy’s immediate remand into custody. Coy now faces a life sentence without the possibility of parole, with sentencing scheduled for November 25.
Community Impact and Legislative Changes
The death of Andre Hill sparked significant changes within the Columbus Police Department. In February 2021, the Columbus City Council passed “Andre’s Law,” which requires officers to activate their body cameras during responses and mandates immediate first aid in use-of-force incidents. Furthermore, Columbus reached a $10 million wrongful death settlement with Hill’s family in 2021, marking the city’s largest settlement in such cases.
This case has underscored the need for accountability and transparency within law enforcement, with Hill’s death leading to both policy changes and a push for greater justice for victims of police violence. As the community awaits Coy’s sentencing, advocates continue to push for reforms that prioritize safety, transparency, and justice for all.
