COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former Columbus police officer Adam Coy took the stand in his own defense on Monday during a trial for the murder of Andre Hill.
Coy, a 17-year veteran of the police force, fatally shot Hill on Dec. 22, 2020, while responding to a disturbance on Oberlin Drive.
Coy was charged with murder, reckless homicide and felonious assault in Hill’s death. He was also charged with dereliction of duty for not activating his body-worn camera when the incident happened, but those charges were dropped.
During the trial, the state called six witnesses to the stand to share testimony. They rested their case on Monday.
The defense called up a use of force expert, then Coy.
Coy was emotional on the stand as he explained the moments leading up to the shooting.
He said several times after he arrived on Oberlin Drive that things weren't right.
Police body camera footage showed Hill emerging from the garage of a friend's house holding up a cellphone in his left hand, his right hand not visible, seconds before he was fatally shot by Coy. About 10 minutes passed before officers at the scene began coming to the aid of Hill, who lay bleeding on the garage floor. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Prosecutors questioned Coy on why he didn't ask Hill his name or call for backup if he was so concerned.
Coy explained that Hill only partially obeyed his commands and was hiding his right hand, then he saw a glint of silver, which he thought was a silver revolver. We now know those were keys and Hill did not have a weapon.
“I thought he was going to draw. I drew my gun and fired four shots,” Coy said.
Prosecutors asked Coy if Hill was obeying his commands, and Coy responded, “Partially, by hiding himself. He had his right hand behind his leg.”
Coy was questioned on whether he asked Hill to show his hands.
Coy said, “It happened too fast, sir.”
The prosecutor asked the same question again and Coy responded, “I said ‘show yourself,’ sir.”
You can watch the full testimony here.