Ex-Ohio Officer Sentenced to 15 Years for Shooting Black Man Holding Cellphone: Vows to Appeal Justification for Actions

A former police officer from Columbus, Ohio, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the fatal shooting of an unarmed Black man brandishing a cellphone. Adam Coy, found guilty of murder in November, faces this mandatory sentence nearly four years post the tragic incident involving 47-year-old Andre Hill. Coy intends to file an appeal, asserting his actions were justified and akin to his training scenarios. During the encounter in December 2020, Coy fired four shots, fatally wounding Hill, who emerged from a garage with a cellphone and keys. Body camera footage revealed that Coy and Officer Amy Detwiler approached the scene with weapons drawn, activating their cameras only after the shots were fired.Following the incident, Hill’s family described him as a beloved figure, known affectionately as "Big Daddy." As a result of Hill's death, Columbus instituted "Andre’s Law," mandating immediate medical aid post-use of force. The settlement with Hill's family, amounting to $10 million, stands as Columbus's largest to date. (Photo: 10TV News/ YouTube screenshot)