Ball Petition

Today dozens were right outside the Columbus police department asking for help.

The paperwork is signed and sealed... the manslaughter charge against former columbus police officer canyon boykin has been dismissed with prejudice... that's a sticking point with some people upset over the attorney general's decision.

Today, dozens were right outside the columbus police department asking for help.

Our quentin smith was at the demonstration..... and joins us live from the municipal complex.... joey...this is the signed order from judge lee coleman... dismissing the manslaughter indictment with prejudice.

Legal experts say that rarely happens in criminal cases.

But the people that were in this parking lot just a few hours ago hope attorney general lynn fitch will hear their voice and think about the impact the case is having in the community.

"we have a lot of signs that says justice for ricky.."

Simple.... "i am ricky."

But yet powerful messages... " we have signs that say black lives matter, all lives matter."

Several protestors filled the parking lot outside the municipal complex demanding answers about why the attorney general dismissed the manslaughter charge against former columbus police officer canyon boykin in the shooting death of ricky ball back in 2015.

" it didn't sit well with me, i don't like it."

" that's disrespectful for after what happened up there in minnesota, for you to come back and do that right after that with no explanation just two paragraphs, come on."

Nat horton says the next step is to get police, as well as city and state leaders, to join them during these peaceful protests.

He believes there can be healing... "my reaction is not fear, i'm not intimidated, i'm not afraid to talk to attorney general lynn fitch face-to- face by herself behind closed doors if she needs to be, i will work with her."

Horton says he felt compelled to speak out about what he calls an injustice in the case.

" it's the most critical thing in my life because i have a child.

If i don't stand up for what's right for somebody else's child, it could happen to mine."

" you can go on for so long until somebody actually agrees to get up and speak about it.

We're just tired of it and we need justice."

Along with signing the petitions, people who came out today were also able to register to vote.