U.S. Will Not Charge Diallo Case Officers

Four white New York police officers cleared in the shooting death of an African immigrant in a hail of 41 bullets will not face federal civil rights charges, the Justice Department announced.

The officers were acquitted of murder and other state charges last year in the slaying of Amadou Diallo, 22, who was gunned down two years ago outside his Bronx apartment. Diallo was shot when he reached for his wallet; the officers said they believed he had a gun.

Federal civil rights prosecutions following state acquittals are rare. In the Diallo case, authorities would have had to prove the officers violated Diallo’s civil rights by intentionally using excessive force.