Euclid police officer Michael Amiott is flanked by his attorneys as the verdict in his trial is rendered.
In August 2017 Euclid Officer Michael Amiott was seen in the now viral video beating a citizen, Richard Hubbard. The officer was fired for the incident and several months later he was rehired following an arbitrator's decision to reinstate Officer Amiott.
Outraged with the prospect of this Officer continuing to patrol the city of Euclid, and that the city prosecutor lacked the appetite for justice, the citizens mobilized. In December 2018, seven citizens from the city of Euclid used Ohio law (ORC 2935.09 and 2935.10) to petition a judge to arrest Amiott for the assault of Mr. Hubbard. According to the New York Times, Ohio is one of a handful of states that has this law and there is little precedent that the invocation of this law by citizens has ever worked.
In 2019, Officer Amiott was arrested, indicted, and placed on trial for assault and civil rights violations. On Friday July 29, 2022 the historic moment where a citizen’s petition for the arrest and prosecution of a police officer came to its peak when a jury found Officer Amiott guilty of assault and civil rights violations.
The approach used by the citizens in Euclid can serve as a template for citizen-led justice across Ohio as this state and others deal with holding the police accountable.
Dr. Richard Montgomery, II
Euclid, OH
• • •• • •
Editor's Note: Euclid police officer Michael Amiott was convicted of assault and civil rights violations by a jury of his peers in Euclid Municipal Court. Retired Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Guy Reece presided over the trial following the recusal of Euclid Municipal Court Judge Patrick Gallagher. Amiott has been placed on administrative duties pending his sentencing, which could include a fine and up to 360 days in jail.
