Protesters have been spread throughout the city of Decatur since Sunday this week advocating for Steve Perkins.
The family along with many protesters believe that the Decatur police officers involved in the incident used excessive force at Perkins residence which led to his shooting death.Â
The Perkins family hired federal civil rights attorney Lee Merritt to seek justice and accountability for the murder of their loved one.Â
Merritt previously represented numerous victims of police brutality and misconduct across the country including the families of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd.Â
The Perkins family along with attorney Merritt met with the Morgan County District Attorney, Scott Anderson, today to discuss the events that unfolded on September 29th.Â
Merritt says accountability is necessary to make sure what happened to Perkins doesn't happen again.
“We believe what’s best for the community, what’s best for transparency, is the rapid release of the evidence involved, indictments, a pre grand jury indictments,†Merritt continued, “that means go ahead and make the arrests now so we have these men in custody, and we can get a speedy transition to the grand jury,†Merritt said.Â
Merritt says the district attorney is not in the position to give a timeline as to when the Perkins family can expect justice.
Merritt says Scott Anderson is responsible for presenting this case to a grand jury and it could take six months or longer depending on how long the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s investigation takes.
However, Merritt claims ALEA has the ability to make a probable cause arrest based on the amount of evidence they currently have.Â
“We are urging the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to move quickly in arresting the men responsible for this crime, even ahead of a grand jury indictment,†Merritt said.Â
Merritt says he will be working with the Morgan County District Attorney's Office for a rigorous prosecution.
There is a community wide protest planned for tomorrow at 5:30pm outside the Decatur Police Department.
