John Hamilton
jhamilton@post-gazette.com
March 26, 2019
After four days of testimony and less than four hours of deliberations, a jury on Friday found Michael Rosfeld not guilty in the fatal shooting of Antwon Rose II.
Mr. Rosfeld, a former East Pittsburgh police officer, shot Antwon three times as the unarmed teenager fled a traffic stop on June 18, 2018. The fact that Antwon had been in a car during a drive-by shooting in North Braddock a few minutes before the car was stopped by Mr. Rosfeld was critical to the jury’s decision, the foreman said, even though Antwon did not fire any shots during the drive-by.
The not guilty verdict sparked days of protests throughout the city, as well as vigils supporting Antwon’s family.
About 1,000 people, mostly high school and college students, march to protest the acquittal of Michael Rosfeld in the killing of Antwon Rose II, Monday, March 25, 2019, along Liberty Avenue, Downtown. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)
A woman holds a rose during a march protesting the acquittal of Michael Rosfeld, Monday, March 25, 2019, in Downtown. (Andrew Rush/Post-Gazette)
Yasmeen Bottoms, 14, a student at City Charter High School, holding sign at center, joins a crowd of mostly high school and college students protesting the acquittal of Michael Rosfeld, Monday, March 25, 2019, along Grant Street, Downtown. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)
Michelle Kenney, the mother of Antwon Rose II, weeps during a vigil for her son at the basketball court where he used to play, Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Hawkins Village in Rankin. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)
People circle around candles and flowers during a vigil for Antwon Rose II, Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Hawkins Village in Rankin. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)
Supporters prayer during a vigil for Antwon Rose II, Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Hawkins Village in Rankin. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)
Supporters gather for a solidarity vigil in support of Antwon Rose Sr., the father of Antwon Rose II, Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Freedom Corner in the Hill District. (Andrew Rush/Post-Gazette)
Louis “Hop” Kendrick, left, and William Anderson, center, join about 50 others in holding candles after a “Prayer Vigil for Justice and Healing,” Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Warren United Methodist Church in the Hill District. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)
Lorenzo Rulli of McKees Rocks, center, is asked to move away from traffic by a McKeesport police officer during a protest over the acquittal of former East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld, Sunday, March 24, 2019, in McKeesport. (Jessie Wardarski/Post-Gazette)
Protesters march up Evans Avenue in response to the acquittal of former East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld, Sunday, March 24, 2019, in McKeesport. (Jessie Wardarski/Post-Gazette)
Bryan Pell Jr. of East Hills looks out the window as protesters march down Forbes Avenue while he waits for a haircut, Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Prime Time Cuts and Styles in Downtown. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Activists Christian Carter, top left, 19, of East Liberty, and Khalil Darden, top center, 18, of Penn Hills, stand on tables inside the restaurant Hello Bistro a day after former East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld was found not guilty in the fatal shooting of Antwon Rose II, Saturday, March 23, 2019, in Oakland. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)
A man who did not want to be identified chastises protesters coming out of Dunkin Donuts as they protest the acquittal of Michael Rosfeld, Saturday, March 23, 2019, in Oakland. “I commend their courage,” said the man. “But I am upset that they think that they can just go into a business and bother the people there.” (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)
Diners look on as protesters briefly occupy the restaurant The Porch a day after former East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld was found not guilty, Saturday, March 23, 2019, in Oakland. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)
Khalil Darden of Penn Hills leads protesters in a chant yelling Antwon Rose II's name while occupying Hello Bistro, Saturday, March 23, 2019, in Oakland. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Deirdre Wilkerson hugs her granddaughter Barisa Wellons, 7, both of Homestead, during a protest march on the day after former East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld was found not guilty in the fatal shooting of Antwon Rose II, Saturday, March 23, 2019, on Forbes Avenue in Oakland. (Alexandra Wimley/Post-Gazette)
From left, activists Brittney Chantele, Christian Carter, 19, of East Liberty and Khalil Darden, 18, of Penn Hills chant during a protest the day after former East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld was found not guilty in the fatal shooting of Antwon Rose II, Saturday, March 23, 2019, on the stairs of Litchfield Towers in Oakland. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)
Christian Carter discourages another protester from antagonizing University of Pittsburgh police officers blocking an entrance to Litchfield Towers during a protest march the day after former East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld was found not guilty, Saturday, March 23, 2019, in Oakland. (Alexandra Wimley/Post-Gazette)
Christian Carter of East Liberty, center, leads a chant while surrounded by supporters of the Rose family after former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld was found not guilty of all charges in the shooting death of Antwon Rose II, Friday, March 22, 2019, at the Allegheny County Courthouse, Downtown. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Christian Carter of East Liberty, left, is consoled by an unidentified woman after former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld was found not guilty, Friday, March 22, 2019, at the Allegheny County Courthouse, Downtown. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Kahlil Darden and other supporters of Antwon Rose II react with anger and sadness at the Allegheny County Courthouse after a not guilty verdict in the homicide trial of former East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld, Friday, March 22, 2019, at the Allegheny County Courthouse, Downtown. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)
Michelle Kenney, the mother of Antwon Rose II, leaves the Allegheny County Courthouse after a not guilty verdict in the homicide trial of former East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld, Friday, March 22, 2019, at the Allegheny County Courthouse, Downtown. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)
Investigator Jim Smith, left, and attorney Patrick Thomassey, who defended former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld, leave the courthouse after the conclusion of the third day of Michael Rosfeld’s homicide trial, Thursday, March 21, 2019, at the Allegheny County Courthouse, Downtown. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Michelle Kenney, the mother of Antwon Rose II, center, lowers her head as she addresses members of the media after closing arguments homicide trial of former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld, Friday, March 22, 2019, at the Allegheny County Courthouse, Downtown. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Allegheny County Chief Trial Deputy District Attorney Dan Fitzsimmons, front, and Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Fodi prepare to exit the courthouse after closing arguments in the homicide trial of former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld, Friday, March 22, 2019, at the Allegheny County Courthouse, Downtown. (Michael M. Santiago/Post-Gazette)
Patrick Thomassey, the defense attorney representing former East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld, arrives for the first day of the homicide trial, Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at the Allegheny County Courthouse, Downtown. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)
Jasiri X talks with a Pttsburgh police officer who told him a portrait of Antwon Rose II must be removed from the front of the Allegheny County Courthouse Tuesday, March 19, 2019, in Downtown. Jasiri X and other members of the 1Hood organization had just moments before placed the portrait on a planter near the courthouse entrance, shortly before the beginning of the trial of former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)
Michelle Kenney, the mother of Antwon Rose II, holds tight to her granddaughter Ky'Chelle Dudley, 4, of Rankin as she and a group of family members, friends, and legal aids gather for a prayer the night before the trial of former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld, Monday, March 18, 2019, in Kenney's home at Hawkins Village in Rankin. (Jessie Wardarski/Post-Gazette)
Michelle Kenney, the mother of Antwon Rose II, looks out the courthouse window on the first day of the homicide trial of former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld, Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at the Allegheny County Courthouse, Downtown. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)