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Activists in Pittsburgh do not want a certain judge to be assigned in the Antwon Rose II case, arguing that Court of Common Pleas President Judge Jeffrey A. Manning has close ties with the attorney of the officer who killed the teen last month in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Last Friday, protests continued as activists lined the streets in front of the Allegheny County Courthouse and attempted to get a face-to-face meeting with District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr.
With a demand letter in hand, the protestors outlined a number of issues they have regarding the case of East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld and his upcoming trial after being charged in the killing of Antwon Rose.
Protestors said Manning has a “strong relationship” with Patrick Thomassey, Rosfeld’s attorney. They cited political contributions made and a 2007 case when Thomassey allegedly refused to talk to the FBI regarding gifts he allegedly purchased for Manning, in return for favors.
Instead they want Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, to be assigned to try the case.
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“We’ve seen, in this case, the mishandling of justice from the bottom up,” said protest leader Nicky Jo Dawson. “We have to take back power and place this case in the hands of someone who can operate beyond the bias of the courts and justice system of Greater Pittsburgh.”
Protestors are also still calling for Rosfeld to return to jail after he was released on $250,000 bond. He was also ordered to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.
Right before the parents of Antwon Rose left for his funeral, the grieving couple sat down with ABC News to break their silence about the loss of their son and the police officer who fatally shot him.
“He murdered my son in cold blood,” Michelle Kenney told ABC News exclusively.
“If he has a son, I pray his heart never has to hurt the way mine does,” Kenney said of the police officer. “But I think he should pay for taking my son’s life. I really do.”
Kenney wants the public to know her son, Antwon Rose, traveled around the world, taught himself to ski and play hockey and had dreams of becoming a chemical engineer or a lawyer.
“I knew Antwon was destined for greatness. I told him that all the time,” she said. “I figured he either was going to be an engineer who designed something that changed the world, or he was going to have a case that changed the world. I never knew that he would be the victim of a homicide and change the world. It’s just unimaginable.”