To: Aisha Braveboy, State's Attorney Prince Georges County Maryland
JUSTICE for Archie "Artie" Elliott, III
Re-open the Archie Elliott case. Twenty years later, we're still fighting for justice. No justice, NO PEACE. Dorothy Copp Elliott
Why is this important?
FROM: Dorothy Copp Elliott - mother of slain Archie “Artie” Elliott, III
TO: THE OFFICE OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY
On January 19, 1994 the grand jury in Prince George’s County released its report of no indictment against Officer Jason Leavitt of District Heights and Officer Wayne Cheney of Prince George’s County Police Department for fatally shooting Archie Elliott, III on June 18, 1993. Archie Elliott, III was acutely intoxicated, had failed simple sobriety tests, was frisked, handcuffed with his hands behind his back, secured by a seat belt and placed in the front seat of a police patrol car. Archie Elliott, III was shot 14 times for allegedly “POINTING” a handgun at the officers.
Whereas, the grand jury found no criminal charges against the officers, YET the grand jury recommended standard training and additional training of municipal officers.
Whereas, the Prince George’s County Police Department simultaneously declared the officers’ actions were justified; HOWEVER, the Internal Affairs Division stated “an improper search precipitated the events” in the fatal shooting of Archie Elliott, III.
We, the undersigned citizens, formally register our strong protest because justice was denied in the police killing of this handcuffed 24-year old young black male who was in no condition to lethally or otherwise harm the police officers or anyone else.
We petition the State’s Attorney to reconsider this case on the merits of all the facts. We further petition the State’s Attorney to thoroughly examine the guidelines the lead prosecutor used in presenting the information and evidence to the grand jury for their deliberations. We demand accountability from the police department and the grand jury for the use of unwarranted and excessive force in the death of Archie Elliott, III. The public is entitled to expedient, aggressive and professional scrutiny by the police department and by the grand jury in police related killings the same as they would in violent deaths that are not police related.
TO: THE OFFICE OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY
On January 19, 1994 the grand jury in Prince George’s County released its report of no indictment against Officer Jason Leavitt of District Heights and Officer Wayne Cheney of Prince George’s County Police Department for fatally shooting Archie Elliott, III on June 18, 1993. Archie Elliott, III was acutely intoxicated, had failed simple sobriety tests, was frisked, handcuffed with his hands behind his back, secured by a seat belt and placed in the front seat of a police patrol car. Archie Elliott, III was shot 14 times for allegedly “POINTING” a handgun at the officers.
Whereas, the grand jury found no criminal charges against the officers, YET the grand jury recommended standard training and additional training of municipal officers.
Whereas, the Prince George’s County Police Department simultaneously declared the officers’ actions were justified; HOWEVER, the Internal Affairs Division stated “an improper search precipitated the events” in the fatal shooting of Archie Elliott, III.
We, the undersigned citizens, formally register our strong protest because justice was denied in the police killing of this handcuffed 24-year old young black male who was in no condition to lethally or otherwise harm the police officers or anyone else.
We petition the State’s Attorney to reconsider this case on the merits of all the facts. We further petition the State’s Attorney to thoroughly examine the guidelines the lead prosecutor used in presenting the information and evidence to the grand jury for their deliberations. We demand accountability from the police department and the grand jury for the use of unwarranted and excessive force in the death of Archie Elliott, III. The public is entitled to expedient, aggressive and professional scrutiny by the police department and by the grand jury in police related killings the same as they would in violent deaths that are not police related.