Watch Cleveland police officer take the Fifth in Michael Brelo trial sparking heated debate (video)

Posted: April 11, 2015 at 7:49 am

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland police detective Michael Demchak invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination shortly after being called to the witness stand Wednesday to testify in the trial of fellow officer Michael Brelo. A heated argument ensued.

Demchak, who was involved in the 22-minute chase and fired some shots at the car driven by Russell, was granted his right by Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge John P. O'Donnell.

Prosecutor Timothy McGinty filed a motion saying he wanted to treat any Cleveland police officers that might testify during the trial as hostile witnesses. The motionargues police officers were not fully cooperative with investigators during interviews with the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Investigations and with prosecutors' efforts leading up to the trial.

Brelo is the only officer to face criminal charges in the November 2012 chase that ended with 13 officers firing 137 shots into a car fatally shooting unarmed Russell and Williams.

Brelo, who prosecutors have said fired 49 of the shots, waived his right to a jury. O'Donnell will ultimately render a verdict in the case.

More:
Watch Cleveland police officer take the Fifth in Michael Brelo trial sparking heated debate (video)

Related Posts