Cohen’s Statement on the Outcome of the Darrius Stewart DOJ Investigation

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today released the following statement on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) findings regarding the shooting of Darrius Stewart, a 19-year-old African American man, who was killed by a Memphis police officer following a routine traffic stop of a car in which Stewart was a passenger:

“I am disappointed that the Department of Justice will not be bringing civil rights charges against Officer Schilling, but I am pleased that the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney Stanton conducted a complete and thorough investigation into the shooting of Darrius Stewart, which I requested,” said Congressman Cohen. “Despite DOJ’s decision, however, there was still a miscarriage of justice. The standard for an indictment for a federal civil rights charge is extremely high, so I understand and respect U.S. Attorney Stanton’s decision, but there can still be a miscarriage of justice even when civil rights violation standards are not met. District Attorney Weirich must agree since she requested a manslaughter indictment, but for whatever reason, the grand jury failed to follow her recommendation. I suspect the Stewart family will now pursue a civil suit, and I hope justice will be meted out.”

Congressman Cohen initially asked the Department of Justice to investigate the Darrius Stewart case in July 2015. A copy of Congressman Cohen’s July letter to the Department of Justice can be found here. A copy of the Department of Justice’s October 16, 2015 response can be found here. Congressman Cohen renewed his call for a federal investigation in November 2015. A copy of Congressman Cohen’s November 3 letter to Attorney General Lynch can be found here. In November 2015, Congressman Cohen asked U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to open a federal investigation during a House Judiciary Hearing. The full video of Congressman Cohen’s questions to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch can be found here.