Madison Police Officer Kenny Won't Face Criminal Charges For Robinson's Homicide

Robinson's March 6 homicide by Madison Police Officer Matt Kenny was justified, the Dane County District Attorney's Office decided.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 12, 2015

Madison, WI - On Tuesday, Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne confirmed that Madison Police Officer Matt Kenny, 45, was justified in killing Tony Robinson, 19, who is Black on March 6. In March, Officer Kenny responded around to a report that man was involved in an alleged battery and was causing a disturbance by running between traffic on the street near the 1100 block of Williamson Street. When Officer Kenny arrived at the scene, he saw a man run into a home and immediately went to that home. The officer heard a disturbance inside the home and forced his way inside. Kenny drew his weapon during an altercation with Robinson who was then shot multiple times by the officer. Officer Kenny after shooting Robinson, he then began to administer for aid, according to the investigation by Madison police.

The ACLU of Wisconsin released the following statement regarding the Dane County DA's Office decision not to charged Officer Kenny,  "The ACLU of Wisconsin regrets District Attorney Ozanne's decision because it leaves a cloud of uncertainty over the circumstances of and the responsibility for Tony Robinson's death.   If Officer Kenny did not violate the law, then is anyone legally responsible for Mr. Robinson's death?  Does the criminal law protect individuals like Mr. Robinson from deadly force exercised by police officers?   Are police officers above the law?
Furthermore, what will the Madison Police Department do to ensure that Madison police officers stop killing unarmed individuals, when they have killed three people in the past 11 months?  The MPD needs to find ways to hold officers accountable, so that they will know there will be consequences for their actions."
In Wisconsin's 129 year history, only the Milwaukee Police Officer Alfonzo Glover, 35, and undocumented Javier Prado, 25, homicide case in March 6, 2005 has been overturned from justified to murder after the Hispanic media pressured then Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann to reopen the case and an independent investigation found Glover murdered Prado. Prado was shot 19 times with most fatally striking him in the back as he pleaded for mercy. Glover committed suicide the same day he was charged with felony murder to avoid life in prison.