Turns out police officers can be charged with murder for killing unarmed citizens. It is just unfortunate the person they kill cannot be black, says the reality of being black in America.

The shooting and killing happened in March of 2014 in New Mexico. 38 year old James Boyd was camping in the western State when he was approached and shot by two police officers. After a federal investigation, the officers were found to have used excessive force.

Members of the SWAT team, Dominique Perez and former detective Keith Sandy both face a single count of open murder in the killing of James Boyd, according to Second District Attorney Kari Brandenburg Monday.

The open murder charge gives Brandenburg the option to pursue first or second degree murder charges against the two defendants.

The two officers shot and killed Boyd after a stand off that took several hours in the foothills of Sandia Mountains in New Mexico. Boyd held two knives in his hands, but was surrendering when the cops opened fire and killed him. It all was caught on video.

The charging of the officers for murder is a stark contrast to the grand juries opting not to convict the officers in the killing of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, or Tamir Rice. The difference in these cases are the people shot and killed were black and grand juries were intervened.

Sam Bregman, lawyer for Sandy, told the Associated Press that the charge was “unjustified” and said Sandy did nothing wrong.

“Keith, as a police officer, had not only the right, but the duty to defend a fellow officer from a mentally unstable, violent man wielding two knives,” Bregman said.

Luis Robles, an attorney for Perez, said, “Sadly, this day has come. Regardless, I am confident that the facts will vindicate Officer Perez’s actions in this case.”

The FBI is investigating the Boyd shooting, but U.S. authorities have not said if the officers will face federal charges.

Source: News One

Many in the black community are glad to hear justice against police officers who feel they can shoot and kill anyone while in the line of duty exist, but wonder how many of their children have to die before their community can see some relief.