Relatives of a Black teenager killed by a white former police officer who was convicted of murder say the jury’s 15-year prison sentence isn’t long enough.
Charmaine Edwards, stepmother of 15-year-old Jordan Edwards, said after sentencing Wednesday night that Roy Oliver “can actually see life again after 15 years, and that’s not enough because Jordan can’t see life again.”
Oliver, who was on duty at the time of the 2017 shooting of Jordan Edwards, was convicted of murder on Tuesday. His defense team said they’ve already begun the appeals process.
Daryl Washington, who is leading a civil suit the Edwards family has filed in the matter, praised prosecutors for having the courage to bring a case against a police officer — but also said the prison sentence should have been longer.
Roy Oliver was sentenced Wednesday, a day after he was convicted in the 2017 death of 15-year-old Jordan Edwards. The verdict marked an extremely rare murder conviction for shootings involving on-duty officers.
Oliver faced between five and 99 years in prison. His lawyers are expected to appeal.
Oliver was a police officer in Balch Springs when he and his partner responded to reports of underage drinking. He shot into a car carrying five black teenagers leaving the party, killing Edwards.
Oliver says he shot at the car because he believed his partner was in danger. His partner testified he didn’t believe his life was threatened.