After it was announced this morning that former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley was found not guilty of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Anthony Lamar Smith, many local organizations and leaders expressed their frustration and anger.
In a statement, Mayor Lyda Krewson wrote that she is “appalled at what happened to Anthony Lamar Smith. I am sobered by this outcome. Frustration, anger, hurt, pain, hope and love all intermingle. I encourage St. Louisans to show each other compassion, to recognize that we all have different experiences and backgrounds and that we will all come to this with real feelings and experiences.”
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ACLU of Missouri executive director Jeffrey A. Mittman said in a statement, “Police officer Jason Stockley’s acquittal today does not change the facts: Anthony Lamar Smith died unnecessarily, another casualty of excessive and deadly force by police against people of color.”
He added that the organization extends its sympathies to Smith’s family and loved ones. “This region—and our country as a whole—have seen too many deaths caused by police, with little accountability for the officers or department involved.”
St. Louis treasurer and former mayoral candidate Tishaura Jones said in a statement that Judge Timothy Wilson’s decision “leaves me with more questions than answers. Officer Jason Stockley yelled he would kill Smith on a recording less than a minute before ultimately doing so, yet he walks out of court today a free man.”
In a statement, ArchCity Defenders called the verdict “devastating” and that it “reinforces the message that law enforcement can use fatal, excessive force against communities of color and turn to the courts for protection.”
Former St. Louis alderman Antonio French tweeted, “Today’s another reminder that all Americans are not treated equally under the law. A reminder how lives have different values in the system.”
Board of Aldermen president Lewis E. Reed said in a statement that Stockley’s acquittal is “a decision that I personally deeply disagree with. I can’t imagine, considering the evidence made public, that Stockley was found to be guilty of committing a crime. The community has the right to be frustrated by the decision and should exercise their right to protest this decision. But, we cannot resort to actions that will set us back further as a community.”
Amid the emotional responses, local officials advised peaceful protests. In a statement, St. Louis interim police chief Lawrence M. O’Toole said, “While we know emotions are running high, our number one priority is protecting and serving our citizens. We ask that citizens who choose to demonstrate, do so peacefully.”
Governor Eric Greitens acknowledged that Stockley’s acquittal “causes pain for many people… I’m committed to protecting everyone’s constitutional right to protest peacefully, while also protecting people’s lives, homes, and communities. For anyone who protests, please do so peacefully.”
