Police Bodycam Footage of Jim Rogers Incident to be Made Public

The viewing is scheduled for 5:30 pm on Wednesday, January 31st, at the Community Empowerment Association in Homewood.

By Bobby Harr

The attorney for the family of Jim Rogers is holding a public viewing of police bodycam footage and other items relating to the incident that led to an $8 million wrongful death lawsuit in 2021. It will be the first time the footage is available to the public.

The viewing is scheduled for 5:30 pm on Wednesday, January 31st, at the Community Empowerment Association in Homewood.

Rogers died in October 2021, one day after being tased by police during an arrest. The Medical Examiner ruled the death accidental, attributing it to a lack of oxygen to the brain.

Pittsburgh Police were responding to reports of a stolen bike when they encountered Rogers in Bloomfield. A nearby civilian captured the incident on cell phone video. Rogers says, "I can't breathe' and attempts to evade the taser.

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. He died one day later in the 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.

A medical expert for the police union says that a seizure disorder caused Rogers' death.

Four officers were fired following the incident. Three have since been reinstated with backpay. The arbitration where Officer Keith Edmonds will attempt to get his job back is still yet to happen.

"The horrific event surrounding Mr. Rogers death [a 54 year-old homeless African American Man] on October 13th of 2021 represents the worst violation of a person's civil rights in Pittsburgh's history," said attorney Todd Hollis in a statement to Eyes on PGH.

Police union president Bob Swartzwelder says he can't discuss the footage with it being part of an ongoing arbitration process.

"Neither the FOP nor the City of Pittsburgh are permitted to discuss evidence or investigative materials surrounding the Jim Rogers case. The cases are proceeding through the arbitration process and the city knows that." said Swartzwelder in a statement to Eyes on PGH.

He said that the city should step in and do something about releasing the footage.

"The City is obligated to file a court injunction and block the release of the city owned BWC footage. If they fail to do so, the city's actions should be looked upon as highly suspect."

City council agreed to pay $8 million to the family of Jim Rogers. So far, they have paid out $4 million. The city maintains the position that its officers were the cause of Rogers' death.

But Todd Hollis says money is insufficient and wants to see change.

"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.

"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."

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