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Civil, human rights investigation to be conducted in Indianapolis

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Civil rights attorney Malik Shabazz is leading an investigation into possible civil and human rights violations in regard to the murder of Dorian Murrell. 

Shabazz is the president of Black Lawyers for Justice, a Maryland-based civil rights law organization. Murrellā€™s family reached out to Shabazz to try to get answers.

At a rally held outside the city-county building on July 16, Shabazz said the cityā€™s handling of Murrellā€™s murder investigation is a reflection of how white supremacy ā€œpermeates the judicial system.ā€

Murrell, 18, was killed downtown at roughly 2:30 a.m. May 31, 2020. Tyler Newby, 30, confessed to the killing shortly after. He was charged with murder June 4, 2020. 

Newby told police Murrell shoved him to the ground, and he shot in retaliation. However, a family member who was walking with Murrell said that the altercation didnā€™t happen, and that Murrell collapsed after being hit with a bullet from an unknown source.

Beyond what they said are inconsistencies between Newbyā€™s story and family membersā€™ recounts of the murder, family and members of the community are also questioning why Newby is out on bail. 

On August 10, 2020, Newby was released on $250,000 bond, $25,000 of which was paid upfront. It is currently unknown who paid Newbyā€™s bail. Shabazz said itā€™s highly unusual for someone charged with murder to be released on bail, and that no one from the prosecutorā€™s office has explained to Murrellā€™s family why Newby was released. 

ā€œIf Tyler Newby was a Black man, do you think he would be out on bail?ā€ Shabazz asked a group assembled outside the city-county building July 16. ā€œWhat this shows is, you can shoot a Black man, pay $25,000 and walk free in Indianapolis.ā€

Shabazz is also calling for evidence ā€” including video footage from the night of the shooting and social media posts that allegedly show Newby was a white supremacist ā€” to be released. 

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mearsā€™ office has not responded to a request for comment.

Shabazz is also concerned about a charge of voluntary manslaughter that was added to Newbyā€™s case July 16. Shabazz and Murrellā€™s family worry that the addition of a manslaughter charge might mean Newby wonā€™t be convicted of murder. 

Shabazz said the independent investigation into the city and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department will help him determine whether a legal case is warranted. Both Shabazz and local activist Mmoja Ajabu said learning how to navigate the court system can help Black Hoosiers get justice for their loved ones, as well as more equal outcomes when it comes to sentencing and bail. 

ā€œWe like to think that because Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that weā€™re free,ā€ Ajabu said at the rally. ā€œThatā€™s true on paper, but not in practice. A white man said he was shoved and came up shooting and caused a Black man to lose his life, and now heā€™s free. Thatā€™s slavery.ā€

Newbyā€™s trial will begin Aug. 3 in the Marion County Superior Court.

Contact staff writer Breanna Cooper at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @BreannaNCooper.

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