Tony Robinson: DA plans Tuesday announcement, group plans "Black-Out Wednesday" protest

MADISON (WITI) -- Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne has announced a press conference Tuesday, May 12th at 2:30 p.m. in Madison. That's when Ozanne will announce his findings in the Tony Robinson case.

19-year-old Robinson was shot and killed by Madison Police Officer Matt Kenny on March 6th.

The press conference will be held in the Dane County Public Safety Building on West Doty Street in Madison. We should learn whether criminal charges will be filed against Kenny.

The incident began on March 6th when authorities got a call that a male was yelling and jumping in front of cars, Madison Police Chief Mike Koval said.

A little later, the dispatcher says, “Apparently Tony hit one of his friends. No weapons seen.”Dispatchers identified him as Tony Robinson, according to 911 audio obtained by WKOW.

About four minutes later, the dispatcher says, “I got another call for the same suspect at . He tried to strangle another patron.”

About 30 seconds later, an unidentified officer says, “Shots fired, shots fired.”

When Officer Matt Kenny went to the apartment on Williamson Street, he heard some commotion and forced his way in, Koval said.

“Once inside the home the subject involved in this incident — the same one allegedly out in traffic and that had battered someone — assaulted my officer,” Koval said.

Koval says Robinson attacked Officer Kenny.

After that, according to the chief, “The officer did draw his revolver and subsequently shot the subject.”

According to reports, Robinson was shot in the head, torso and arm.

Robinson had a criminal history. Wisconsin Circuit Court documents indicate Robinson pleaded guilty in December to an armed robbery that occurred last April.

As for Kenny, this isn't the first time he has used lethal force. In 2007, he shot and killed a man in what the police chief described as a "suicide by cop."

Kenny was exonerated of wrongdoing and received a commendation.

Following the shooting of Robinson, Kenny was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Robinson's death sparked several large protests in Madison. Five days after the incident, large groups gathered near the Capitol in Madison -- one rallying in support of Robinson, and the other in support of law enforcement.

One day after the protests, Attorney General Brad Schimel said the Department of Justice's reports on the incident would be turned over to a prosecutor in a matter of weeks.

By April 1st, Robinson's mother, Andrea Irwin said she believed Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne would thoroughly review the circumstances surrounding her son's death. But just a week later, family members cast doubt on the case, saying the DOJ's probe into Robinson's death isn't fair, because the agency is staffed by former police officers. They then called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to step in.

Madison police issued this statement on Sunday:

Many of those who took to the streets following this officer-involved shooting in March were students. Officials with the Madison Metro School District have sent a letter home to parents -- asking that students stay in class on Tuesday.

"We had close to a 1,000 students participate in the walkouts in March.  It`s the logistics on what happens if students leave. It`s the lesson plans the teachers will be using, resources, how to handle students who need a different space or different environment to process differently given their specific need. Each school is handling it a bit differently, but all of them have an adequate plan in place. I think it`s important that people are having the conversation not just in our classrooms but also at home," Alex Fralin, chief of schools for secondary education said.

A letter was sent home to parents of children in the Madison Metro School District by Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham on Monday -- in advance of Tuesday's announcement. That letter reads:

The Young, Gifted and Black Coalition has been leading protests in this case. The group announced Monday that they'll rally Wednesday morning in front of the apartment house where Robinson was shot and killed. They want people to give up whatever they're doing that day and join them in what they're calling "Black-Out Wednesday."

"I think there are going to be many members of the community who are grieving. Folks should look out and look unto people who are in the street who are engaging in direct action as folks who they should support and be in solidarity with -- and that`s going to be very important. This is a very minor, very small inconvenience to miss work or miss school compared to the major inconvenience that the family experiences," M. Adams with the Young, Gifted and Black Coalition said.



On Tuesday, the group is encouraging folks to meet in front of the Social Justice Center on Williamson Street following Ozanne's announcement. The group will meet at 4:00 p.m., and the Robinson family will hold a news conference at 4:30 p.m.

Then, a march is planned from the Social Justice Center to the Capitol steps.

Ozanne says he will meet with Robinson's family after he makes his announcement Tuesday.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this story.