News (Media Awareness Project) - US VA: Small Group Rallies In Support Of Man Accused In |
| Title: | US VA: Small Group Rallies In Support Of Man Accused In |
| Published On: | 2008-02-24 |
| Source: | Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-02-26 18:26:15 |
SMALL GROUP RALLIES IN SUPPORT OF MAN ACCUSED IN CHESAPEAKE
OFFICER'S DEATH
For hours Saturday, supporters of the man charged with first-degree
murder in the Jan. 17 shooting death of a Chesapeake police officer
stood quietly outside the city jail, some carrying homemade signs or
wearing painted T-shirts.
"Free Ryan," many of them read.
There were no more than two dozen people gathered at a time throughout
the cold, rainy morning and cloudy afternoon. At times the crowd
dwindled to 10 or so, and as one group left, others showed up.
Many said they never had met 28-year-old Ryan Frederick, who also is
charged with use of a gun in the commission of a felony and
first-offense possession of marijuana. But they said they have
followed the story and believe Frederick didn't intend to shoot
Detective Jarrod Shivers.
The 34-year-old married father of three was killed while serving a
drug search warrant at a home in the 900 block of Redstart Ave. in
Chesapeake.
Frederick has said he believed he was firing at an intruder who was
breaking down his front door.
But Special Prosecutor Paul Ebert has said narcotics officers
announced their presence several times before trying to enter that
night. Police also have said Shivers was shot while standing in the
yard.
Ted and Jackie Boltze of Norfolk said they don't know Frederick. They
have three children who are in their 30s and 40s and said they feel
like something similar could have happened to any one of them.
"I've never been to a protest before. I've never been involved with
nothing," Ted Boltze said.
Susan Milne, who said she worked with Frederick at a hotel for about a
year, called it "an accident, a mistake. That's just not who he is,"
she said.
Melissa Peters, who went to school with Frederick, described him as a
quiet guy who stayed out of a trouble. "He's not the kind of person
who would do something like this intentionally," she said.
Many gathered also expressed sympathy for Shivers and his family.
"All of us feel horrible about a police officer losing his life," Peters said.
OFFICER'S DEATH
For hours Saturday, supporters of the man charged with first-degree
murder in the Jan. 17 shooting death of a Chesapeake police officer
stood quietly outside the city jail, some carrying homemade signs or
wearing painted T-shirts.
"Free Ryan," many of them read.
There were no more than two dozen people gathered at a time throughout
the cold, rainy morning and cloudy afternoon. At times the crowd
dwindled to 10 or so, and as one group left, others showed up.
Many said they never had met 28-year-old Ryan Frederick, who also is
charged with use of a gun in the commission of a felony and
first-offense possession of marijuana. But they said they have
followed the story and believe Frederick didn't intend to shoot
Detective Jarrod Shivers.
The 34-year-old married father of three was killed while serving a
drug search warrant at a home in the 900 block of Redstart Ave. in
Chesapeake.
Frederick has said he believed he was firing at an intruder who was
breaking down his front door.
But Special Prosecutor Paul Ebert has said narcotics officers
announced their presence several times before trying to enter that
night. Police also have said Shivers was shot while standing in the
yard.
Ted and Jackie Boltze of Norfolk said they don't know Frederick. They
have three children who are in their 30s and 40s and said they feel
like something similar could have happened to any one of them.
"I've never been to a protest before. I've never been involved with
nothing," Ted Boltze said.
Susan Milne, who said she worked with Frederick at a hotel for about a
year, called it "an accident, a mistake. That's just not who he is,"
she said.
Melissa Peters, who went to school with Frederick, described him as a
quiet guy who stayed out of a trouble. "He's not the kind of person
who would do something like this intentionally," she said.
Many gathered also expressed sympathy for Shivers and his family.
"All of us feel horrible about a police officer losing his life," Peters said.
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