Jul 4, 2008 6:30 pm US/Central
Brother Of Woman Charged With Cop Murder Speaks
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
The family of the woman who was charged in the death of Chicago Police Officer Richard Francis is speaking out. CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports that they are struggling to find answers.
Prosecutors say Robin Johnson took the officer's gun and shot him during a fight.
"Nobody has told us anything," said Tony Johnson, Robin's brother. "Only thing we can go by is hearsay of different reports."
Tony Johnson said there are still many unanswered questions for his family regarding the alleged involvement of his sister Robin in the shooting death of Officer Richard Francis. One thing Tony said he does know, is just hours before the incident, Robin had left her daughter's house after an argument.
Johnson said his sister suffers from seizures so severe, the medication she takes makes her weak and she loses her memory after each episode.
"Really just want to get to some conclusion, was she having a seizure around this time or what was really going on that night with all the shooting going on," Tony said.
Because of her condition, she has had to live with him and other family members. Most recently, Robin was living with her daughter.
"I'm praying that she will remember the whole incident, if she ever comes out of this situation," Tony said.
Published reports say court proceedings revealed Johnson took the officer's gun. He was shot in the eye, hip and leg. The asst. state's attorney said Johnson fired one shot at officers responding to the scene. They returned fire. Her brother said Robin was shot in the head, back, stomach, chest and both arms.
"I think it was more so like an eye for an eye, instead of trying to make an arrest," Tony said. "I think it could have been handled a lot better. I mean, even if she did have a gun in her hand, they're professionals, they could have tried to hit her in the arm some kind of way and made an arrest."
Johnson's brother said he has trouble understanding how his sister, who is four feet, 11 inches and weighs 170 pounds, could have overpowered Officer Francis. Police said the woman weighs closer to 300 pounds.
"I'm not saying she's guilty or not guilty," Tony said. "But, it just don't add up to me."
On this 4th of July, Johnson said his heart is heavy. He's thinking of Officer Francis' family and his own. Today is his sister Robin's 45th birthday. He said his family has not been allowed to visit her since she's been at Illinois Masonic Hospital.
"I do pray that everybody finds in their heart the power of forgiving and forgiveness," Tony said. "We can't take back what has happened. I wish I could take back what had happened. We can't take that back. We pray the Lord's strength and move on."
Police said Johnson is a prisoner and that's why she's not allowed visitors at the hospital.
Meantime, Supt. Jody Weis said a newspaper report claiming police are investigating whether friendly fire may be responsible for Officer Francis' death was incorrect. Supt. Weis said the department is doing a criminal investigation into Johnson's alleged role, and the Independent Police Review Authority is looking into the responding officers' actions.
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