Blake was shot in the back several times on August 23. The shooting was paralyzed from the waist down and sparked violent protests, riots and looting.
WARNING: Disturbing video shooting of Kenosha Police Department captured on video
The prosecutor involved in the shooting, identified by authorities as Officer Rusten Sheskey, neither any other prosecutor nor Blake himself will be charged, prosecutor Michael Gravely said Tuesday afternoon.
WATCH: Kenosha DA Announces Charge
It took Gravely and his team nearly two hours to contextualize what he called a “domestic incident.” Seriously described how the mother of Blake’s children, Laquisha Booker, called 911 to report that Blake had taken the keys to her rental car and planned to drive away with the vehicle and their children. He played the audio of that emergency call to the press.
Police arrived knowing there was a felony arrest warrant for Blake, and Gravely confirmed that Blake carried a knife, which they say admitted to state investigators.
WATCH: Legal analysts discuss charges against Kenosha
Use of violence expert and former Madison police chief Noble Wray said the officers’ actions that day were consistent with police training and protocol.
“They had no choice and withdrew the firearms after the physical measures did not work,” Wray said.
Strongly claimed that he could not convince a jury that Officer Sheskey was not afraid for his life at the time, or that others would not harm if he had not acted in self-defense.
“If there is enough information to fuel self-defense, the burden of proof is on the state, it is up to the prosecutor to refute self-defense. So we should refute the clear statement of these officers that they had to fire a weapon. to defend themselves, they have to refute that negatively, ”he said.
Sheskey and the other officers who were on the scene have been placed on administrative leave and will remain on administrative leave for the time being, police said.
RELATED: Kyle Rittenhouse, Antioch Teen Accused of Murder in Kenosha Protest Shootings, Pleads Not Guilty
“ This really illustrates why these cases against police officers are so difficult to bring, because they have to show that the government should show that the police officer did not reasonably believe that lethal force was necessary to prevent his death or serious bodily harm. and the evidence here showed that there was a knife that I don’t think was involved, “said ABC7 Legal Analyst Gil Soffer.” And so the government must show that the officer was not reasonably concerned that Jacob Blake was They used them. They clearly concluded that they couldn’t prove it. “
Chicago and Wisconsin criminal defense attorney Anthony Burch said if a jury looked at what happened here last summer, they could determine that the police were criminally harsh.
What was the threat level for him? One way to describe it may not be that Mr. Blake was trying to run. There may have been an argument, he was trying to defuse the situation, ”Burch said.
Burch’s comment on the prosecution’s unusual public closing argument is that he could have won it at trial.
“The facts presented by the state attorney at this press conference could have been presented in a different way, where an actual fact would be able to pass a guilty verdict against Officer Sheskey,” he said.
Blake personally called to tell him no charges would be filed. Blake’s family was heartbroken and enraged.
This is a slap in the face of the Wisconsin government and the DA perpetuating systemic racism. Where was justice? ‘ said Justin Blake, Jacob’s uncle. “It’s 2021; we’re going to call everything what it is. He was a racist. He tried to kill my cousin. He should be fired, charged and convicted.”
They’ve been marching for months and demanding charges, but it hasn’t happened.
“We are not satisfied with what has been said today. We expected it; it did not sweep us from behind or jump us from behind. We understood what would happen when they called the National Guard,” said Blake’s father. Jacob Blake Sr. speaking in Chicago after the announcement.
Blake’s uncle, family in Kenosha and community organizers led another march Tuesday night after the verdict.
“Every day we get up, put on our boots and enter the fray because we have no choice,” said Justin Blake.
WATCH: Jacob Blake’s uncle responds to decision not to charge police officers
Blake’s lawyer said he was the victim that night and the video proves it.
“Shooting a person seven times while walking away from an officer is all elements of willful murder,” said attorney B’Ivory Lamarr.
An ongoing federal civil rights investigation into the shooting is underway, and the family said they also plan to pursue a civil case.
WATCH: Jacob Blake, Sr. speaks in Chicago
Justin Blake and activists also noted that while waiting for the outcome of Jacob’s case, this battle has always been bigger than Jacob Blake and Kenosha’s police force.
“The power is in us to make change, if you really believe what this government is built on,” Justin Blake told the protest.
Benjamin Crump, one of the attorneys who represented Blake, issued a statement after the decision was announced, in which he said in part, “We are deeply disappointed in the decision of Kenosha District Attorney Michael Gravely to remove the prosecutors involved in this gruesome shooting We feel this decision failed not only Jacob and his family, but also the community that protested and demanded justice The actions of Officer Sheskey sparked outrage and advocacy across the country, but the officer’s decision of justice not to charge the prosecutor who shot Jacob multiple times in the back, leaving him paralyzed, further destroys trust in our justice system. This sends the wrong message to police officers across the country. It says it’s okay. that the police are abusing their power and recklessly shooting their weapon, destroying someone’s life ie e tried to protect his children. “
Kenosha City Council voted unanimously on Monday evening to approve an emergency declaration that would go into effect immediately after the decision. The Wisconsin Government Tony Evers has also authorized the Wisconsin National Guard to assist in the management of any civil unrest.
Gov. Evers released a statement in response to the impeachment decision, in which he said in part: “Today’s decision is further proof that our work is not done – we must seriously work every day towards a fairer, fairer and fairer state and land,” and to combat the racism experienced by Black Wisconsinites. I hope for peace and justice for Jacob, his family and the entire Kenosha community. I reaffirm my commitment to take action to create a fairer, fairer state for every Wisconsinite And I ask those who will exercise their right to assemble tonight and in the days to come to please do so peacefully and safely. ”
RELATED: Full Timeline of Jacob Blake’s Shooting, Protests, Turmoil
The call for justice has now spanned seasons. In sweltering summer heat to freezing winter evenings, activists have circled the now snow-covered streets of Kenosha demanding that the officer be fired.
“Based on what has happened in our country, it probably won’t work in Jacob’s favor because they don’t value us and our lives. They value the properties and businesses,” said Tanya McLean, an activist at Leaders of Kenosha. .
Mayor John Antaramian and Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said they are working on plans to protect peaceful protests and avert unrest in the days following the shooting.
The Blake family led a small protest on Tuesday evening, but said emphatically that they do not support any violence after the decision.
WATCH: Kenosha companies join up and brace themselves for potential civil unrest
Some Kenosha companies closed again pending the tax decision.
“It’s an uncomfortable feeling. We don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Ajillian Burrell-Warfield. Her husband helped reposition shelves to protect her hair salon, Textures RX.
“I took them out for the holidays so I could put up Christmas decorations and try to get back to normal,” said Burrell-Warfield.
They hope to be spared a repeat of the civil unrest and destruction that took place weeks after.
“They broke our windows, they broke our equipment,” said Colleen Gimik of Jackson Hewitt. “I hope people from outside our communities stay out of our community.”
Justin Blake said his cousin is focused on his recovery and an inspiration to his family. He wanted to encourage the community to come together for justice in his cause. He said they are hoping for charges in this case, but imploring the community to remain peaceful.
“People have a right to be upset,” said Justin Blake. “We’re just asking them to be upset and make a lot of noise with the Blake family today, without being destructive.”
Kyle Rittenhouse pleaded not guilty Tuesday to shoot two people and injure a third during last summer’s unrest in Kenosha.
Chicago police are also monitoring any repercussions after the Blake decision.
In a statement, CPD said it is “keeping a close eye on events in Kenosha” and that “appropriate resources and personnel will be retained” to keep the city safe.
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