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DeWine Names Special Prosecutor in Dayton-Area Police Shooting

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine speaks with reporters at an unrelated press conference in May. (Nick Castele)
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine speaks with reporters at an unrelated press conference in May. (Nick Castele)

The family of John Crawford III said his death was unjustified. Police said he was shot for refusing to drop what turned out to be an air rifle. A grand jury meets next month to see if the two officers involved should be charged.

DeWine said the grand jury will convene later than expected.

"Though our original intention was to begin the special grand jury proceedings on Sept. 3, Mr. Piepmeier will not be available to start the proceedings until Monday, Sept 22," DeWine said.

DeWine says Piepmeier has handled more than 100 police-invovled shootings in his career, including the 2001 shooting of Timothy Thomas that sparked riots in Cincinnati.

DeWine spoke with reporters this morning. He also defended his decision to let the family members of a man killed by police inside a Dayton-area Walmart to view surveillance footage of the incident.

"I thought the family had the right to have the opportunity to view it. The mom did not want to view it, and i fully understand that. The dad did, the dad viewed it. I thought that was something that we should do."

Crawford's family has called for the public release of the footage.

Nick Castele was a senior reporter covering politics and government for Ideastream Public Media. He worked as a reporter for Ideastream from 2012-2022.