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Adam Coy found guilty of murder, all charges go to trial
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Adam Coy found guilty of murder, all charges go to trial

A former Columbus police officer accused in the fatal shooting of an unarmed Black man in 2020 was found guilty of murder Monday.

Former CPD officer Adam Coy was also found guilty of manslaughter and aggravated assault.

Jurors received the case late Wednesday and were unable to reach a verdict after deliberating throughout the day Thursday and Friday.

The 15-member panel met again at 9.30 a.m. on Monday and announced that they had reached a decision just before noon.

In 2020, Coy shot and killed Andre Hill while responding to a disturbance call.

Coy and another officer spotted Hill in the garage of a residence with a cellphone in one hand and another object in the other.

Coy’s defense attorneys argued that their client mistook a set of keys in Hill’s hand for a gun, causing Coy to shoot Hill, who died at the scene. Prosecutors argued Coy was reckless in his actions.

Watch the verdict from the courtroom:

Reactions poured in after the verdict was read in court. The Columbus branch of the NAACP posted this:

For too long, our communities have endured the trauma of lives taken without justification or accountability. This guilty verdict is a strong message that law enforcement is not above the law. When their actions violate their duty to protect and serve, they will suffer consequences. “We recognize that nothing can truly repair the pain and loss experienced by Andre Hill’s loved ones, but this verdict brings a measure of justice that is needed to restore trust in our system.”

FOP Lodge #9 President Brian Steel said after leaving the courtroom on Monday.

We mourn with the community the tragic loss of Mr. Hill, but remain steadfast in our belief that Officer Coy was subjected to political and media bias that no one should face in court. Today’s outcome reflects this environment, and we call on our community and its leaders to ensure that law enforcement officers are treated fairly under the law, just as they work for all officers.

Sentencing was scheduled for November 25.