On Wednesday, a jury found Theodore Edgecomb responsible of first-diploma reckless homicide. Edgecomb is a Black Milwaukee man who killed a white man after a visitors altercation shut to Brady Road in 2020.
He was convicted of a lesser cost than what the state sought, which was first-diploma intentional homicide.
Some racial justice advocates have contended that since Kyle Rittenhouse effectively argued self-protection after he killed two people and injured ancompletely different all by way of unrest in Kenosha, Edgecomb Ought to be In a place to as properly.
The lethal confrontation between Edgecomb and Milwaukee immigration lawyer Jason Cleereman Occurred in September 2020.
There are conflicting accounts of what happened, however All of us know that Edgecomb was driving A motorcycle and Cleereman was in a automotive Collectively with his spouse, who was driving. The two events acquired into some Sort of visitors dispute and Edgecomb punched Jason Cleereman by way of the open automotive window.
Cleereman acquired out of his automotive and confronted Edgecomb, who shot him Inside The prime. Edgecomb fled the state and evaded arrest for months.
Edgecomb’s protection lawyer, B’Ivory LaMarr, said in closing argumalests that Edgecomb felt he was being “hunted” by the Cleeremans. LaMarr invoked the case of Ahmaud Arbery, a Black jogger homicideed by white males in Georgia.
“Mr. Edgecomb was sautomotiveed,” LaMarr said. “That very similar fear he had after he’s being hunted down by these two people. That very similar fear the place he’s described as being The subsequent Ahmaud Arbery.”
Edgecomb took the stand earlier this week and testified that he didn’t imply To hearth the gun, which difficult the self-protection argumalest.
Prosecutor Grant Huebner labored to debunk the self-protection declare. In closing argumalests, he said that Edgecomb “launched a gun to a fistfight.”
“Some injustice That you merely really feel might have happened in Ancompletely different case Does not excuse or permit or invite an injustice On this case,” Huebner said.
Finally, the self-protection argumalest didn’t sway the jury. It took Decrease than three hours to return a verdict: responsible of first-diploma reckless homicide.
Native felony protection lawyer Tony Cotton, who Isn’t involved On this case, factors out first-diploma reckless homicide is the cost the state initially sought in Edgecomb’s case. It was then elevated to intentional homicide shortly earlier than the trial.
“That’s A regular tactic when a defendant proceeds to trial,” Cotton says. “Oftentimes prosecutors will elevate reckless homicide costs to intentional homicide costs. It provides the prosecutor extra capability to argue extra counts for which a defendant Might be convicted.”
Cotton says The selection isn’t surprising. He thinks Edgecomb and his legal professionals Did not make a compelling self-protection argumalest.
“I’ve carried out tons of self-protection circumstances in my automotiveeer, and any time You’ve a shopper or defendant who shoots somebody at level-clear differ when that particular person hasn’t struck the defendant or displayed a weapon — these are extremely troublesome circumstances,” Cotton says.
Jason Cleereman’s household launched A press launch following The selection, saying: “The Cleereman Family, spouse Evangeline And youngsters Amelia and Jack, thank the jury For his or her service and verdict, and the police and prosecutors who labored very exhausting To unravel this case. They proceed to mourn The scarcity of their pricey husband and father, Jason Cleereman, and ask that their privateness be revered, comforted Inside the information that justice has been served.”
The Milwaukee Alliance In the direction of Racist and Political Repression, which has rallied in assist of Edgecomb, wrote on Fb: “We’re terribly indignant to say the least.” The group indicated It’d plan protests or completely different actions in response.
Edgecomb faces As a lot as 60 years in jail. His sentencing listening to Is about for April 8.