Feds: No Charges In Jordan Miles Case

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The U.S. Justice Department says it will not pursue filing criminal charges against three Pittsburgh Police officers who allegedly beat up a former CAPA High School honors student.

The incident happened on a cold night back in January of 2010, when Jordan Miles, now 19 and in college, claims he was beaten by three officers because he was black in a high crime neighborhood near his home and it was late at night.

The feds said on Wednesday there was not sufficient evidence to probe the officers violated Miles' civil rights.

"I wouldn't say I was shocked, but, I was disappointed," Miles said.

KDKA's Ralph Iannotti reports:

His mother, Terez Miles, had a much harsher reaction.

"I'm extremely disappointed," she said. "We kind of knew it was going to turn out this way, but that didn't soften the blow. It was like a punch in the stomach. It was the biggest disrespect ever because it sends the wrong message."

There was a very different reaction from Bill Difenderfer, the attorney for one of the three officers who had the violent encounter with Miles. Difenderfer said the Justice Department decision was a vindication for the three officers. He'd like to see them back to work on the street immediately.

"This case was extremely clear that they never did anything wrong from the beginning and I'm very disappointed that it took this long," he said.

However, the three cops remain off the job, on paid leave, while the office of municipal investigations conducts its own internal investigation.

KDKA's Heather Abraham reports:

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