It's with heavy heart to share the Massachusetts First Circuit of Appeals dismissed Juston Root's case April 22, 2024.  Our family was denied the right to a jury trial.  There were many significant issues with the officer’s credibility and supporting evidence of Juston's dyer condition.  However, the majority of the 3 Judge panel disregarded these important facts and denied our RIGHT to a jury trial. 

Weighing of the disputed material facts is for a jury to decide, NOT THE JUDGES!  

We filed a Petition asking the 6 active judges to rehear Juston's case- they denied it. We have experienced first-hand how officers are allowed to kill with impunity. We were misled to believe our system was making progress towards police accountability. The First Circuit ruling will have long lasting implications on recourse when it comes to constitutional rights violations. This will create a larger gap in accountability, leaving officers the discretion to apply deadly force even where it is unnecessary and wholly disproportionate.  

Juston Root suffered from mental illness and was shot 31 times while he was on the ground, incapacitated, covered in blood with nothing in his hands by 5 Boston Police officers and 1 MA State Trooper.  4+ years with zero accountability.

A new Justice for Juston Root Facebook has been created, so the community can come together and demand an independent investigation. 

PLEASE JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP:  https://www.facebook.com/share/gLrXe5C7WvV8qqGQ/

You can view public court filings here or by visiting: https://justonroot.com/court-filings

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." ~ Dr. Martin Luther King