MIAMI POLICEMAN CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER
MIAMI
Two manslaughter counts have been filed against a policeman whose fatal shooting of a black man ignited last week's racial riots here. Officer William Lozano was charged this week in the death of Clement Lloyd, who was killed on his motorcycle while being pursued by another officer for speeding. Mr. Lloyd's passenger, Allan Blanchard, died from injuries sustained when the motorcycle crashed.
The Hispanic officer, who has been suspended with pay since the shooting on the holiday for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., surrended Monday at Dade County Jail and left after posting $10,000 bond, said John Hogan, chief assistant Dade County state attorney.
Meanwhile, a special city panel reviewing the killings complained it lacked sufficient investigatory powers, and the US Justice Department said it sent two prosecutors to Miami to investigate.
A government source in Washington, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a grand jury could be impaneled to study possible federal charges against Mr. Lozano.
Lozano could face up to 60 years in prison and a $30,000 fine if convicted of the charges - manslaughter with a firearm, State Attorney Janet Reno said. She said a thorough investigation found that murder charges were unwarranted.
But Ellis Rubin, an attorney for Mr. Blanchard's family, said his clients were dismayed that Lozano wasn't charged with second-degree murder, which indicates malice was present in the attack, and carries a possible life prison sentence.