A GRAND Jury in Ohio, the U.S., has declined to indict two police officers in the death of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy who was shot dead by a Cleveland police officer last year, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty said yesterday.

    McGinty said he also recommended that no charges be filed.

    After the Grand Jury “heard all the evidence and the applicable law, they were told our recommendation,” the prosecutor’s office said. “But they made the final decision.”

    Tamir was holding a toy gun when he was shot by officer Timothy Loehmann at a Cleveland playground in November 2014. The grand jury was hearing evidence to determine if any charges would be brought against Loehmann or his partner, Frank Garmback.

    McGinty said yesterday that the law gives the benefit of the doubt to officers who must make “split second” decisions when they believe their lives are in danger.

    Loehmann “had reason to fear for his life,” McGinty said, citing video he said was “indisputable” when it showed Tamir reaching for his gun as the police car approached and Loehmann exited.

    McGinty called Tamir’s death a “tragedy” but not a crime.

    While Tamir’s family was “disappointed” by the decision, they were “not surprised,” attorneys for the Rice family said.

    “It has been clear for months now that Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty was abusing and manipulating the grand jury process to orchestrate a vote against indictment,” the attorneys said.  (SD-Agencies)