DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – The family of Jordan Edward’s is now able to go forward with a civil suit against former Balch Springs Officer Roy Oliver and the City of Balch Springs.
Because Oliver is guilty of murdering unarmed, teenager Jordan Edwards, Edward’s family Attorney Daryl Washington said they can sue the department for failing to train and supervise Oliver.
“Now that the criminal proceedings has passed, Oliver will not be able to plead the 5th,” Washington said, “He will have to answer questions and we will get more information,” he said.
The Edwards family attorney Jasmine Crockett said if it wasn’t for body cameras, oliver would still be on the force because oliver initially said it was a justified shooting.
“Does someone have to die before we get ride of a bad officer? That should not be the standard and that is the problem,” Crockett said.
Jordan’s stepmother Charmaine Edwards followed with “it is a tragic incident however this is something that has been going on for years, they’ve just been sweeping it under the rug,” she said. “If it’s not addressed properly it’s going to continue to happen.”
The family said they will vigorously pursue this lawsuit, they will start the discovery phase.
Oliver is sentenced to 15 years in prison with $10,000 in fines