More Evidence in Jim Rogers Case to be Released After Police Bodycam Footage Unveiled

He said he intends to release the report from use of force expert David Wright on Thursday.

By Bobby Harr

The attorney for the family of Jim Rogers held a viewing Wednesday night of police bodycam footage from the arrest that preceded Rogers's death in 2021. Todd Hollis first released the footage on his website earlier in the week and plans to release more materials. 

Hollis brought the media and the public to Homewood's Community Empowerment Association for viewing and a press conference. He said he intends to release the report from use of force expert David Wright on Thursday. He also didn't push back when asked about releasing medical records. 

Pittsburgh Police were responding to reports of a stolen bike in October 2021 when they encountered Rogers in Bloomfield. One day later, after being tased multiple times by Pittsburgh Police Officer Keith Edmonds during an arrest, he died in the hospital.

Rogers went into cardiac arrest and became unresponsive as officers were driving him to UPMC Mercy. When police discovered him, they pulled him out of the back seat and administered CPR.

A recent press release from Mayor Ed Gainey's office, in response to the release of the footage, said that Pittsburgh Police had made several policy and procedural changes since the death of Rogers. But Hollis says many of those policies were already in place.

"The policies were already in place. The police officers didn't follow them."

Officers passed three other hospitals while transporting Rogers to Mercy. "When use of force is applied, the officers are supposed to take the arrestee to the medical facility that's closest to the event," said Hollis. "Unfortunately, and I don't know the reason why, Zone 5 has been relying on Mercy Hospital."

An investigative report found that Rogers had cocaine in his system, may have been in alcohol withdrawal, and was not on his seizure medication at the time of the tasing. Rick Earle of WPXI also reported that Rogers' family refused specific suggested medical treatments at the hospital due to religious beliefs.

The Medical Examiner ruled the death accidental, attributing it to a lack of oxygen to the brain. 

The City of Pittsburgh settled with the family for $8 million. It has paid $4 million of the $8 million owed. Details of the settlement have yet to surface. 

Hollis said it was about the money for Rogers's family, but he never wanted to settle the case and initially asked for $108 million. 

"Although the family has been financially compensated the money falls far short of the much needed accountability in our City's administration and Police Department," Hollis wrote Saturday. "It is my hope that the video will provide a platform to discuss policy changes that will prevent another incident such as this to befall upon another person."

After firing four officers over the incident, three returned with backpay. Officer Edmonds is currently in arbitration to get his job back. 

Several people were frustrated that Hollis hadn't released the footage until now and accused him of taking this case for profit. "You should've done more to make sure that video got out before you got your $8 million because that's all you were worried about," said Carmen Brown. 

But Hollis said releasing the footage without a court order would've been a crime, and he's not in it for the money. 

"When you get the videos, you get the information confidentially. So it's a crime to release that confidential information outside of the lawsuit," said Hollis. "If it was only about the money, I wouldn't have fought so hard to get court approval to release the video."

Bobby Harr is the founder of Eyes on PGH, a citizen journalism project based in Pittsburgh, PA. Send story tips to bobbyharrpgh@gmail.com.