Dorsey was found guilty but mentally ill in the killing of Indianapolis police officer Breann Leath in 2020. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison for shooting his then-girlfriend, Aisha Brown, but was given credit for good behavior and time served for killing Officer Leath. The judge also sentenced him to 40 years, with 15 years suspended, for shooting Brown as she ran from an apartment on the city’s east side. Dorsey will serve 25 years in the state Department of Correction and will be required to spend 15 years on probation with specific mental health treatment requirements following his release.
The judge’s decision to sentence Dorsey to time served for killing Officer Leath has sparked outrage from Chief Chris Bailey of the IMPD and Mayor Joe Hogsett. Bailey expressed deep disappointment in the sentencing, stating that it fails to deliver the justice that Officer Leath, her son, and her family deserve. Mayor Hogsett, as the chief elected official to whom IMPD directly reports, and a member of the community, expressed shock and disappointment in the court’s decision. He emphasized that as a former federal prosecutor, he respects the justice system, but as a father, he is appalled by the outcome.
Leath, 24, was responding to a domestic violence call involving Dorsey when she was shot twice in the head through the door of an Indianapolis apartment. Dorsey was also found guilty but mentally ill of criminal recklessness regarding the three other officers who responded to the call. Additionally, he was found guilty but mentally ill in the attempted murder and confinement of his then-girlfriend, Brown. In January, the judge granted the state’s motion to dismiss death penalty charges after doctors found Dorsey to be mentally ill.
The sentencing of Dorsey to time served for killing Officer Leath raises concerns about justice for victims of police violence. The decision to grant him credit for good behavior has been met with criticism from law enforcement officials and city leaders, who believe that the punishment does not reflect the severity of the crime. The case highlights the challenges of addressing mental illness in the criminal justice system and the need for comprehensive mental health treatment for individuals like Dorsey, who commit violent acts while struggling with mental health issues.
The impact of Officer Leath’s tragic death on her family, colleagues, and the Indianapolis community has been profound. The sentencing of Dorsey for her killing and the shooting of his then-girlfriend raises questions about the adequacy of the justice system in addressing cases involving individuals with mental illness. The need for improved mental health resources and support for individuals involved in domestic violence situations is evident, as tragic incidents like this underscore the devastating consequences of untreated mental illness and access to firearms. The community grapples with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence and seeks justice for Officer Leath and her loved ones.
