Reaction to Ball Case Dismissal

District Attorney Scott Colom is reacting to the news that a manslaughter charge against former Columbus police officer Canyon Boykin will be dropped.

Everyone... district attorney scott colom is reacting to the news that a manslaughter charge against former columbus police officer canyon boykin will be dropped.

Boykin was charged in the 2015 shooting death of ricky ball.

Wcbi confirmed yesterday that the attorney general's office plans to drop those charges.

During a press conference this morning, colom said he plans to request the information from the a-g's office that led to that decision..

He says he will then post whatever information he legally can to his website, adding it would be a step toward transparency.

"to drop the case at this time, the timing is so bad.

I had someone call and tell me it feels like i got punched in the stomach and i understand that because because it's a very difficult time for a lot of people, a lot of people are hurting or worried, they have anxiety.

And to do it like the way it's done, i think if you're going to dismiss the case i think you need to do more than a two paragraph press release.

You need to have a hearing ,put the evidence out there and let the people see for themselves what the reason why the case was dismissed because there was in indictment.

So i think it could've been handled so much better than what i've done a better job of continuing to keep trust in the community.

Because that's what it's really about, having trust in the criminal justice system."

Boykin was fired from cpd shortly after the shooting and later sued the city.

A settlement was reached in the lawsuit..

The decision not to prosecute sent shock waves throughout the community.

Some were pleased with the decision... others asking why.... today, we get reaction from two columbus leaders who want answers.

Our stephanie poole joins us live from the lowndes county courthouse with more... devastation and confusion...those are just ásomeá of the emotions people are feeling after the attorney general's announcement.

It was a decision that left more questions than answers for some... "it's puts a sharp pain knife in the heart of trust in this community as it relates to the justice system.this could not have been at the worst time that any news of this magnitude could've been dropped in this community."

That was district 41 state representative kabir karriem's reaction after learning the state attorney general would not prosecute former columbus police officer canyon boykin.

Karriem has a unique perspective... he was a city councilman at the time when boykin shot ricky ball during a traffic stop.

He believes the community deserves a better understanding as to áwhyá charges were dropped.

"we have to do more,we have to demand answers.

I will be writing a letter to the attorney general in my capacity asking for an explanation on what took place."

Karriem says with evidence and paperwork to support the case, he thinks there was no need to drop charges at this time.

"what is it where the previous attorney general felt need to indict with the grand jury.

Felt need to prosecute all the way to december and now it's may and according to the two paragraphs that were given, it's not enough evidence.

Something is not right with that."

Controversy surrounding the case is affecting officers too... columbus police chief,fred shelton says as a citizen and an officer, he's mentally in a tough spot.

"being in my position and being an african american male, they expect me to stand up and do what's right and to fight for their rights.

And again, i'm going to fight for their rights.

I'm going to make sure the police department is effective, efficient, and proactive at policing.

We're not going to turn our heads at crime,we're going to do it fair and with dignity."

Shelton says the attorney general's decision puts a greater burden on the force.

" i don't agree with it because it goes against the fabric of what we do.

I want people to trust us, that if someone commits a crime that they will be arrested, they will go through the court process and that they will serve their time."

Butt sots "whether the officer involved was innocent or guilty, i feel compelled that it should've played out in the court.

I'm not advocating one way or the other but all we have is the justice system."

We have reached out to the ball family for a comment.

The mother of ricky ball says they are all heartbroken and are requesting privacy at this time.

Reporting in columbus, stephanie poole, wcbi news.