On Tuesday, a prosecutor made a significant decision regarding the tragic incident in which a police officer struck and killed a western Michigan teenager. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker declined to file charges against the sheriff’s deputy involved in the death of 17-year-old Riley Doggett. Instead, Becker charged the driver of the stolen vehicle, another teenager, with causing death while fleeing from the police.
The incident occurred on April 8 in Kent and Ottawa counties at the end of a high-speed chase. Riley Doggett, along with another teenager, was running from a stolen Range Rover after it crashed into parked cars in a business area. Doggett was hit by a patrol car driven by the deputy and succumbed to his head injuries on May 9.
During a press conference, Becker played dashcam footage for reporters and emphasized that there was no evidence suggesting the deputy had used intentional deadly force. He explained that the deputy had pursued Doggett in a parking lot at a speed of 22 mph (36 kph), believing Doggett was dangerous. Becker clarified that Doggett was holding a phone, not a gun, and stated that the deputy’s intention was to cut off Doggett’s escape, but he misjudged the maneuver, leading to the fatal collision.
Becker described the situation as follows: “He’s trying to cut him off. He didn’t do it appropriately and hit him, maybe cut it too close, and obviously there are tragic results.” The prosecutor also pointed out that one of Doggett’s shoes came off, and there were black marks, likely from a tire, on his lower leg.
Before the public announcement, Becker met with Doggett’s family to show them the dashcam video and discuss his decision. He acknowledged that the family disagreed with his conclusion and felt that the deputy should be charged. “They clearly thought the deputy should be charged. I wasn’t expecting them to agree,” he remarked.
There was no immediate comment from Ven Johnson, the attorney representing Doggett’s family. Johnson had previously called for authorities to release the video and other details, criticizing the delay in providing the family with information. He argued that even if Doggett had acted recklessly, he did not deserve to be a victim of “illegal, unnecessary, deadly force.”
Johnson’s statement last week, made just hours before a memorial service for Doggett, underscored the family’s frustration and grief. He emphasized the perceived injustice of the situation, reflecting a broader concern about police use of force in similar incidents.
Riley Doggett’s mother, Becky Wilbert, spoke fondly of her son, describing him as a “good kid” who excelled in school and had a vibrant personality. “He was funny. He was smart. He excelled in school,” she said. “He always was cracking jokes, making everybody laugh. He was the piece of our family that held everybody together.” Her words paint a picture of a young man whose life, despite his mistakes, was valued and cherished by those who knew him.
The decision not to charge the deputy has sparked a complex and emotional response, highlighting the tensions and differing perspectives surrounding such cases. On one side, there is the legal interpretation and procedural justice as articulated by the prosecutor, who found no grounds for criminal charges against the officer. On the other side is the deep-seated grief and sense of injustice felt by Doggett’s family, who view the incident through the lens of personal loss and moral outrage.
This case also touches on broader issues of police accountability and the use of force, particularly in high-stakes situations involving suspects fleeing from law enforcement. It raises questions about the protocols and training that guide officers’ actions during pursuits and the measures in place to ensure that the use of force is both justified and proportionate.
As the community processes this tragic event, it is a poignant reminder of the human cost of such encounters and the need for ongoing dialogue and reform in the realm of public safety and justice. The loss of Riley Doggett will undoubtedly continue to resonate with his family and friends, as well as with the broader community grappling with the implications of this case.