NAACP President Criticizes DA's Decision In Jordan Miles Case

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The National NAACP president criticized Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala for not prosecuting the three police officers accused of beating up Jordan Miles.

Last month, Zappala explained that while the case will proceed in civil court, there was not enough evidence to reach the higher criminal threshold.

He relied in part on a use of force expert who concluded police were in a high crime area, they had reasonable suspicion and believed Miles was armed although it turns out all he had was Mountain Dew.

"This is not a political forum – we follow the law," Zappala said. "We follow the evidence, we follow the law."

Still, NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous says a national standard for use of force and use of force training is needed, as well as a state attorney general review in this case.

"It is hard for local communities to trust local law enforcement to police local law enforcement," he said. "And that is why county councilperson Robinson's pending bill that all cases be referred up to the state attorney general would be a step in the right direction."

The federal civil trial for the three officers is scheduled for next month.

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