Prosecutors seek death penalty against man accused of killing IMPD officer Breann Leath
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for a man accused of killing an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has announced it will seek the death penalty against Elliahs Dorsey. Dorsey, 27 at the time of his arrest, is accused of killing IMPD officer Breann Leath in April 2020.
Leath and three other officers responded to a disturbance call in the 1800 block of Edinburge Square on the afternoon of April 9. That’s an apartment complex southeast of the I-70 interchange with I-465.
Leath was rushed to a hospital. IMPD announced her death a bit more than two hours after the shooting.
Dorsey’s arrest was announced the next day.
Dorsey faces charges of murder, attempted murder, criminal confinement and battery.
He’s currently set for trial on Feb. 1.
Breann Leath’s mother Jennifer told News 8 her family made the decision to seek the death penalty together.
“It’s really not fair that you get three square meals a day and you get to talk to your family and I don’t know if he’s got kids, you know I don’t know a lot about him, but he gets to do all those things, even if he’s in jail, he still gets to do those things,” said Jennifer Leath.
She said her daughter’s death not only impacted her family and friends, but the entire community.
Jennifer Leath said one of the toughest parts of the past several months has been trying to explain to Breann’s 4- year old son, where his mom went.
“For a while there he was thinking that heaven was like a place, like the store and then for a minute he was acting like he thought his mommy just left him,” she said.
Breann, would have turned 25 last month, leaves behind her parents, two sisters and son.
Statement
“While many will focus on the person accused of this crime, the attention this announcement brings is an opportunity to again reflect on all that Officer Breann Leath gave to her community in her all-too-short time with us. It is an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices her family made and the loss they will forever feel so that people they will never meet could be safer.
“Officer Leath demonstrated what it means to be a dedicated public servant, and set an example that we all strive to live up to every day. She was committed to her community and giving back. She was committed to helping victims of domestic violence. She was committed to running towards danger when others would run away. She was committed to helping her fellow man, woman, and child.
“Officer Breann Leath will always represent the spirit of IMPD and will always be remembered.”
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
