COLUMBUS, Ohio – A former Ohio police officer convicted of murdering Andre Hill, a 47-year-old unarmed Black man, was sentenced Monday to a mandatory term of 15 years to life in prison. The sentencing concludes a case that has been a focal point in the national debate over police accountability and the use of lethal force.

Adam Coy, who was fired from the Columbus Division of Police shortly after the December 2020 shooting, stood silently as the sentence was handed down. The conviction and subsequent sentencing represent a rare instance of an on-duty police officer being held criminally liable for a fatal shooting.

The Sentencing and Conviction

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Jaiza Page delivered the mandatory sentence on July 28, 2025, following Coy's murder conviction by a jury earlier this month. Under Ohio law, Coy will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Coy acted recklessly and unreasonably when he shot Hill four times within seconds of encountering him. The defense maintained that Coy believed Hill was armed and that the shooting was a tragic mistake made under immense pressure. The jury ultimately sided with the prosecution, finding Coy guilty of murder and felonious assault.

Family members of Andre Hill delivered emotional victim impact statements in court. "He didn't just take Andre's life; he took a piece of all of us," said Karissa Hill, Andre Hill's daughter. "This sentence is not a celebration, but it is a measure of justice we fought so hard for."

Details of the December 2020 Shooting

The fatal encounter occurred in the early hours of December 22, 2020. Coy and another officer were responding to a non-emergency disturbance call about a car running on and off. They found Andre Hill inside a friend's open garage.

Body camera footage was a central piece of evidence in the case. Although Coy did not activate his camera until after firing his weapon, a 60-second "look-back" feature captured the shooting without audio. The video shows Hill emerging from the garage with a cellphone in his left hand, his right hand not clearly visible. Coy opened fire almost immediately. It was later determined Hill was holding his keys and a cellphone.

Following the shooting, the footage showed that neither Coy nor the other officer on the scene rendered first aid to Hill for several minutes as he lay dying on the garage floor. This delay in providing medical assistance became a significant point of contention for prosecutors and community activists.

A Rare Verdict and National Significance

Murder convictions for police officers for on-duty killings are exceedingly rare in the United States. The verdict against Coy is seen by many civil rights advocates as a crucial step toward greater police accountability.

The shooting of Andre Hill occurred just months after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, which ignited nationwide protests against racial injustice and police brutality. Hill's name was frequently invoked in these demonstrations, and his case has been closely watched by activists and legal experts.

Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney representing the Hill family, called the sentence "a historic moment for justice in America." He added, "This verdict sends a clear message that police officers are not above the law and will be held accountable for their actions."

The City of Columbus previously reached a $10 million settlement with the family of Andre Hill, the largest civil settlement in the city's history. The case also prompted policy changes within the Columbus Division of Police, including stricter rules on body camera activation and the duty to render aid. The outcome of this case is expected to have lasting implications for police training and use-of-force policies across the country.