Michael Nichols
In October 2020, Michael Nichols, 63, from Roan County in West Virginia was shot and killed by a police officer.
Off-duty police officer reportedly got a call from Nichols’ neighbor who said that Michael was most likely under the influence of drugs. The police officer called the 911 dispatch center, but later decided to go to the scene.
The officer said he drove up to Nichols’ house in an unmarked vehicle. The deputy got out of the car, called out Nichols, and identified himself as a law enforcement. The officer noticed a weapon near the porch and drew his own gun. According to a witness, the police officer ordered Nichols to get to the ground and fired three shots.
In July 2021, the district attorney said that no charges would be brought against the police officer. In December 2021, the court approved a $585,000 settlement. By April 2022, the officer who shot Nichols, was not fired from the law enforcement, despite the fact that he had several other cases of shooting at people who did not pose a threat to him.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
“For us, knowing what we know based on our own investigation, the [Nichols] report actually raises more questions than it answers,” attorney Booth Goodwin, who is representing the families in the lawsuits, said in an email. “We continue to firmly believe that this tragedy should not have occurred, and likely would not have occurred had Deputy King been dealt with appropriately following King’s shooting of Timothy Rhodes.”
“The word out is he’s still in law enforcement, and that’s the guy that has no business being in law enforcement,” said Thomas Nichols, Michael Nichols’ older brother, after the settlement hearing. “He just got off scot-free.”
CASE STATUS:
The initiative group has requested the clarification from US President Joseph Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against police brutality and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the family of the victim.
Letter to Biden
Letter to Garland
