ST. LOUIS — Members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen are split on whether a Civilian Oversight Board member should resign after being charged with property damage in connection with an incident after a day of protests in Ferguson.
Keith Rose, who was appointed to the Civilian Oversight Board (COB) this year, was arrested and charged with first-degree property damage in connection with an incident Friday night that left Ferguson police officer Travis Brown critically injured and caused damage to a fence at the police department. On Tuesday, Board of Aldermen members Bret Narayan, Thomas Oldenburg and Laura Keys sent a letter to Civilian Oversight Board Chairman Stephen Rovak calling on Rose to resign his position.
"As a result of the charges filed against Mr. Rose in this matter, we no longer feel that Mr. Rose can be seen as neutral and unbiased on matters relating to the oversight of the St. Louis City Police Department," the letter said.
Rose's attorney, Javad Khazaeli, told 5 On Your Side his client has recused himself from the Civilian Oversight Board and all board activities other than training and has stepped aside as an uncommitted alternate delegate for the Democratic National Convention next week.
"The Missouri Democratic Party condemns the violence that critically injured Officer Travis Brown and we send our thoughts and well wishes to Officer Brown and his family," Missouri Democrats said in a statement. "While the right to engage in peaceful assembly is fundamental to our democracy, violence is never acceptable. Keith Rose has decided to voluntarily withdraw as an uncommitted alternate delegate to the DNC.
The Missouri Democratic Party said it was replacing Rose with another uncommitted alternate from the area.
According to a probable cause statement, Ferguson police said Rose kicked a large metal gate at the Ferguson Police Department. Police said that caused a portion of the fence to fall off. The property damage exceeded $750, according to the charges.
Ferguson police released a video of people shaking and attempting to break down a gate at the police department. The video appears to show Rose, who is wearing a black shirt and khaki pants, and others break part of the gate off by pushing it with their feet. Rose is seen wearing the same shirt in a mugshot taken after being taken into custody.
Additional video released Wednesday appeared to show Rose standing with another woman as he pressed his back against the gate and shook it with his body weight.
Before the police department released the video, Khazaeli, denied the allegations against his client. In a statement, Khazaeli said they have evidence that Rose was not involved in damaging the fence.
"There are pictures that show that Mr. Rose was not involved in damaging the fence. We are confused as to why he has been charged," he said in the statement. "This is the second time that Ferguson has tried to charge my clients with property damage, the last time being the use of Crayola chalk on a sidewalk. We are confident that we will prevail again like we did last time. That being said, our thoughts are with the officer who was injured."
Khazaeli spoke to 5 On Your Side on Wednesday after the video was released and said Rose acted responsibly by stepping down.
"The video doesn’t support anything they say, the best they can say at some point before the fence broke that he shook the fence. He did not break the fence and those who are rushing to crucify him, should feel ashamed and should apologize," Khazaeli added. "A different person injured the officer and that's awful. Keith has come out and condemned that there is no place for that but it wasn't him or related to him."
Rose is still on the board and the term lasts until 2027.
Saint Louis University Law Professor Anders Walker weighed in.
"Civilian oversight boards need to appear neutral and objective, this might give the board a bad name," Walker said, "Anyone who serves on the board needs to be careful how they are perceived. The optics are everything."
To remove a member of the Civilian Oversight Board, the board must vote to request the Board of Aldermen to act to remove the member. The removal request must be approved by a majority of members of the Board of Aldermen.
On Wednesday, three other Board of Aldermen members, Rasheen Aldridge, Alisha Sonnier and Daniela Velázquez said they think Rose should remain on the Civilian Oversight Board and expressed support for due process.
The three of them agreed on Rose's decision to recuse himself for the time being and said a vote should be held until court proceedings conclude.
"We also believe that Mr. Rose deserves his day in court and, as a legislative body, we should refrain from making reactive decisions in this matter outside the court of law," the Wednesday letter said.
Board of Aldermen President Megan Green provided the following statement:
"My office is monitoring the situation and believes in due process. I'll add that I agree with Keith's decision to recuse himself until the case is resolved. The Board returns from its recess on September 13th and we hope to have more information at that time."
The Civilian Oversight Board "was established to provide transparency and the accountability of the St. Louis City Police Department while ensuring community confidence," according to the city's website.
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones' spokesperson said Rose was appointed to the Civilian Oversight Board after being the only eligible applicant for the position and receiving a unanimous vote of approval from the Public Safety Committee and the full Board of Aldermen. Rose was set to attend his first meeting of the oversight board this month.
John Chasnoff is following Rose's case closely, especially after helping form the St. Louis Civilian Oversight Board almost a decade ago.
"When we first created the board, we wanted to have a diversity of perspectives," Chasnoff added.
Chasnoff believes Rose brings a unique perspective.
"He comes from an activist background and activity. He's been involved in issues of policing for some time," Chasnoff added. "Keith comes as an activist on police issues. His point of view was well-known to the board when they appointed him."
Rose is one many who filed a lawsuit against St. Louis police before, following protests after the acquittal of Officer Jason Stockley.
Last year, a settlement was reached.
Rose has posted his bond and has a court hearing Aug. 22.