On Friday Dec. 19 the Erie District Attorney’s office formally charged Pennsylvania State Parole officer Kevin Seelinger with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person following the shooting of unarmed man Marchello Woodard on July 2. Seelinger is currently being held without bail.
This charge follows months of protests, letters to District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz and Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro, and resolutions passed by both City and County Council regarding the fatal shooting.
During the City Council meeting on July 17, grieving family and friends of Woodard spoke out during a council meeting for the first time. “I had to bury my son,” Charles Woodard, the father of the victim, said. “Next time, you should respect that badge to honor, serve, and protect the community.” After that first meeting, members of the Justice for Chello Coalition and other unaffiliated constituents regularly attended council meetings and spoke out…