The shooting death of New York teenager Ramarley Graham is slated to be investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The feds will probe the case and look for any evidence that may point to the New York Police Department violating the civil rights of Graham. The announcement from the DOJ is a small triumph for the Graham family, who are still angered that officer Richard Haste remains on the job in a modified role.
As reported by the New York Daily News, the family and other demonstrators protested outside the Bronx District Attorney’s office yesterday (August 8), a day after a grand jury elected not to re-indict Haste. Back in May, a manslaughter case against Haste was also thrown out.
“The criminal justice system has failed us, just as it failed the family of Trayvon Martin,” said Constance Malcolm, Ramarley’s mother, said Thursday. Father Frank Graham added, “For all the liars on that team who said Ramarley had a gun, you are all just as guilty. It’s a conspiracy to murder my son.”
The Graham shooting made headlines in February 2012 when Haste, looking to make a drug arrest, chased the 18-year-old down and into his home then shot him in the bathroom of his home because he thought he had a gun.
Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson said he was “surprised and shocked” by the grand jury’s decision this week, and offered condolences to the family. There was no public timetable released for the federal investigation.
View photos of the Graham family protesting and related photos on the following pages.
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Photos: New York Daily News
