Crime, Law and Justice

Washington Ledge

Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Washington Legislature. Austin Jenkins is the Olympia correspondent for the Northwest News Network. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) weekly public affairs program "Inside Olympia."

Brothers Shot By Olympia Police Plead Not Guilty To Assault

NWNews | By Austin Jenkins

Published September 22, 2015 at 2:23 PM PDT

Bryson Chaplin, in wheelchair, and his brother Andre Thompson confer with family members before a court hearing in Olympia. Both men were shot by a white Olympia police officer in May and have pleaded not guilty to charges of felony assault.

Two African-American brothers shot by a white Olympia police officer in May have pleaded not guilty to assault charges.

Bryson Chaplin and Andre Thompson entered their pleas during a brief court appearance Tuesday. Attorney George Trejo Jr. represents Chaplin who was paralyzed in the shooting. He says the officer, not his client, should have been charged.

“We look forward to fighting this case,” Trejo said. “We look forward to seeing justice done -- not only for my client, but for the community as a whole because the community should not be at the hands of a reckless officer.”

Trejo also represents the family of Antonio Zambrano-Montes who was shot and killed by Pasco, Washington, police in February.

Earlier this month, Thurston County Prosecutor Jon Tunheim announced Officer Donald will not face charges. Since then, Black Lives Matter protesters have called on Tunheim to drop the charges against the brothers.