Larry G. Chatman

Deadly force

Just before midnight, officer Thomas LaVanway was responding to a report of a man down in the street when he hit Larry G. Chatman with his patrol car and dragged him for several yards. Prosecutor James Cherry said an autopsy showed Chatman had a high level of alcohol in his system. An investigation concluded LaVanway, 25, did not immediately inform police that he'd hit Chatman, leading officers to believe they were looking for a hit-and-run driver. LaVanway was ordered to pay a fine and costs of $209 after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge for not reporting the accident for more than 30 minutes.