Blendon Township Police officer Connor Grubb pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, felonious assault and involuntary manslaughter Wednesday during a video arraignment in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
Grubb shot and killed 21-year-old Ta'Kiya Young last year in the parking lot of a Kroger store after she was accused of shoplifting.
The judge ordered Grubb to get rid of his passport and guns before he posted a $20,000 bond in order to be released from the Franklin County Corrections Center.
Grubb had already gottten rid of his guns, according to defense attorney Mark Collins.
Outside the court room, Young's family said they felt the bond was too low. Their attorney Sean Walton said the bond would have been higher if Grubb wasn't a police officer.
"If he wasn't a police officer, the bond would be significantly higher for murder charges, multiple counts of murder. This just speaks to systemic issues where police accountability is very hard to come by," Walton said.
Collins argued for a low bond, citing Grubb's status as a veteran, and because he has a family and has been cooperative.
"He also voluntarily turned himself in yesterday when he was made aware that there was a warrant. He also voluntarily provided a five-page written statement," Collins said.
He said Grubb is not a flight risk.
Collins said Grubb was justified in shooting Young. "This is a unique case. We're very comfortable with our position. And in the end, it's a justified action," he said.
"There is absolutely no justification for Ta'Kiya Young to lose her life that day, or her unborn child's life that day. And my job is to obtain justice for it. And that's what we're going to do," said special prosecutor Richard Glennon.
Glennon, an assistant prosecutor in Montgomery County, said Grubb created a dangerous situation when he shot Young.
"An officer is justified in using deadly force if a threat of serious physical harm is posed to him. The video is out there. Everyone has seen the video. The officer is the only person who posed a threat of serious physical harm to anyone. And he's the only one who created a risk of danger to others and the community and everyone else who was present outside of Kroger on that day," Glennon said.
He said Grubb was at the grocery store to help someone who locked their keys in their vehicle, when an employee came out and said Young had shoplifted. Grubb then told approached Young's vehicle and told her to get out.
"Defendant Connor Grubb then drew his firearm, positioned himself in front of the vehicle and ordered her out of the vehicle. At this point, Ms. Young puts her car (in gear) to drive, begins to move the vehicle and the defendant discharged one gunshot, killing Young and her unborn child, who was viable at the time," Glennon said in the courtroom.
Glennon said police officers aren't above the law.
"Nobody is above the law. And my job is to attain the most just result. My job is to work towards achieving the most just result based on the facts of the case and the applicable law," Glennon said.
