"The case was interesting," But fewer people came to court Friday to watch Manney hearing
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Day one of the Christopher Manney appeal hearing brought an overflow crowd to the Municipal Court building on James Lovell in downtown Milwaukee. On Friday, March 20th, it was a very different scene.
There were no lines outside the Municipal Court Building on Friday afternoon, as opposed to Thursday, when there were about 30 people in line.
Manney appeal hearing overflow room (DAY ONE)
On Friday, only a couple dozen people gathered in the overflow room. But those there said the lower attendance on Day Two is not an indication of a lack of interest.
"It's a different feel, different emotion when you are down here firsthand," Greg Davis said.
Despite the smaller crowd Friday, some were there for the first time. Folks were there both in support of Christopher Manney and in support of Dontre Hamilton and his family.
"The case was interesting. It's dealing with an issue in this community, and dealing with an issue regarding police force, or lack thereof. I feel it needs the support of the people," Davis said.
"Just as a private citizen, I find it very frustrating that a police officer would lose his job protecting the public and protecting himself, so I just wanted to show support. I think it is important to have a presence and support for our police officers -- especially Officer Manney," said Tiffany Jackson.
Jim Carpenter returned to the Municipal Court building for a second day.
"It is an amazing drama in and of itself," Carpenter said.
Carpenter brought a sign -- not allowed inside the courtroom. However, he said that makes no difference. He was there for one reason.
"Justice for Dontre," Carpenter said.
"Just trying to support his mom, his brother, everybody," Andrew Green said.
Extra security was once again added for Friday's hearing, with police officers stationed throughout the Municipal Court building -- watching to make sure everyone stayed safe.
Former Milwaukee Police Officer Christopher Manney is fighting to get his job back.
On April 30th, 2014, Dontre Hamilton was sleeping in Red Arrow Park. Then-Officer Christopher Manney was performing a welfare check, and police say Hamilton grabbed Manney’s baton and struck him with it. That’s when Christopher Manney opened fire, shooting Hamilton 14 times. Manney was terminated from the Milwaukee Police Department for his handling of Hamilton that day.
Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn fired Manney in October 2014, saying Manney treated Hamilton like a criminal when he decided to pat him down. It was that pat down that cost Manney his job.
“There`s a set of training and enforcements that you are taught and you don`t go hands on and start frisking somebody only because they appear to be mentally ill. Christopher Manney treated Hamilton as though he were a dangerous criminal instead of following his training,” Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn said in announcing Manney’s firing from MPD.
On December 22nd, 2014, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office announced Manney’s “use of force” in the shooting death of 31-year-old Dontre Hamilton was “justified self-defense and that defense cannot be reasonably overcome to establish a basis to charge Officer Manney with a crime.”
Manney is appealing his termination from MPD, which brings us to the appeal hearing.
An afternoon session has been scheduled for Sunday, March 22nd from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the hopes this hearing will be wrapped up by Monday night.
If needed, testimony is set to begin Monday at 4:30 p.m.