Group gives DA petitions seeking charges in police beating

The Alliance for Police Accountability delivered more than 1,000 signatures to the Allegheny County District Attorney's office this morning, again urging that criminal charges be filed against the three city police officers involved in the beating of Jordan Miles.

District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. was unavailable to meet with a group of about a dozen activists who have for more than a year been pushing for charges.

In early May, the federal Department of Justice announced that there would be no federal charges filed against Michael Saldutte, David Sisak and Richard Ewing because federal prosecutors did not believe they could prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Brandi Fisher, the chair of the alliance, believes that since the federal investigation has come to a close, it is now up to Mr. Zappala to pursue the case.

"I am sustaining faith that he will do his job," she said. "Now, he has no reason to not prosecute."

DA spokesman Mike Manko said his office continues to review the matter.

"I pray the DA will do the right thing in this case," said Mr. Miles' mother, Terez Miles. "I'm disgusted. Hopefully, the next time we come here, he'll come out and talk to us."

Tim Stevens, the chair of the Black Political Empowerment Group, said that Mr. Zappala has agreed to meet with the activists, but no date has been set.

Mr. Miles, now 19, was arrested late on Jan. 12, 2010, on Tioga Street in Homewood as he walked from his mother's home to his grandmother's.

Police have said he was acting suspicious and resisted arrest. He sustained several injuries from a beating, including having clumps of hair ripped out, facial bruising and lacerations.

Criminal charges against Mr. Miles were thrown out by a magisterial district judge.

First published on June 3, 2011 at 12:52 pm