### Former Officer Convicted of Murder in Shooting of Andre Hill

In a significant verdict, a former Columbus police officer has been found guilty of murder in the fatal shooting of Andre Hill, an unarmed Black man. Adam Coy, who served with the Columbus police for nearly two decades, shot Hill in a friend's garage nearly four years ago. Coy claimed he mistakenly believed Hill was holding a gun, which turned out to be a set of keys. Following the shooting, Coy was dismissed from his position and now faces a minimum of 15 years in prison.

The tragic incident occurred in December 2020 when Hill, 47, was shot four times by Coy. Police body camera footage captured Hill emerging from the garage with a cellphone in his left hand, moments before being gunned down. It took nearly ten minutes for the officers at the scene to begin rendering aid, and Hill was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

The aftermath of the shooting led to significant changes in Columbus. Weeks later, the mayor pressured the police chief to resign after multiple fatal police shootings involving Black individuals. The city also reached a historic $10 million settlement with Hill's family and passed Andre's Law, mandating immediate medical assistance from officers to injured suspects.

During the trial, prosecutors emphasized that Hill had complied with Coy's commands and posed no threat. Despite Coy’s tearful testimony that he feared for his life, the jury found him guilty of murder, reckless homicide, and felonious assault. Franklin County assistant prosecutor Anthony Pierson noted in closing arguments, "We're taught, 'Do what the cops tell you to do and you can survive that encounter.' That's not what happened here."

Hill's family expressed relief and hope that the verdict would deter future instances of police violence. Shawna Barnett, Hill's sister, remarked, "It's been way too long, but I'm glad it's over. It's time to stop. It’s time to make everything fair."

Defense attorney Mark Collins, who represented Coy, announced plans to appeal the decision, arguing that Coy’s actions were driven by a perceived threat. Meanwhile, Brian Steel, president of the Columbus police union, expressed shock at the murder conviction and warned of its broader implications for law enforcement, stating, "Your split-second decision can now be led to murder."

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Hill’s family, lauded the verdict as a step toward greater accountability in policing. "Andre was an unarmed, innocent man, and his life was taken with disregard for the duty to protect and serve," Crump stated.

Coy had initially gone to the neighborhood to investigate a complaint about someone in a running vehicle and encountered Hill, who explained he was waiting for a friend. Coy testified that he found Hill's behavior suspicious, especially after Hill knocked on a door and entered the garage. Using a flashlight, Coy spotted Hill and believed he saw a gun when Hill walked towards him, leading to the fatal shooting.

Over his career, Coy had faced numerous complaints from residents, including a dozen cases related to excessive force. Most of the complaints were determined to be “unfounded” or “not sustained.”

Hill's family and friends described him as a dedicated father and grandfather, a skilled tradesman, and a chef with aspirations of opening his own restaurant. As the sentencing date approaches, the conviction of Adam Coy stands as a critical moment in the call for justice and police reform.