Remembering and Representing William Howard Green
On January 27, 2020, William Howard Green was killed in Prince George’s County after being shot in the torso seven times at point-blank range by local police officer, Corporal Michael Owen Jr. Astoundingly, William Green was in the front passenger seat of Owen’s police cruiser with his hands cuffed behind his back at the time of his brutal murder. Cpl. Owen was charged by the Prince George’s County Police Department with Murder, and a criminal indictment is soon expected to be brought forth by the County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Murphy Falcon & Murphy is representing the Green family in their civil claims for the sudden loss of their dear William, affectionately known as “BooBoo”. We will passionately advocate not only for a thorough investigation into William’s murder but also for a comprehensive review of Cpl. Owen’s past uses of police force. William Green’s life can never be replaced, but by relentlessly seeking the truth surrounding the circumstances of his death, we will strive to achieve a sense of justice for the Green family and to enact meaningful change in our community and the wider world.
Who Was William Howard Green?
William Green was 43 years old and a native of Southeast Washington. Those who knew him describe him as a fun-loving man full of life, love, humor, and affection. He was the life of the party, and he always took time to spread joy and make people laugh. He could cook great BBQ and he could fix just about anything around the house. Loved ones describe him as peaceful, non-confrontational, and full of love for his family and friends. William made a point of calling his daughter every day to tell her to have a great day, and his only son describes him as the “glue” that held their family together.
William Green was well loved in life. He is survived by his mother, daughter, son, and a large network of extended friends and family.
Response From Local Authorities
Since William Green’s passing, the local authorities have taken swift and decisive action. The medical examiner’s office ruled his death a homicide, and less than 24 hours after the shooting, Police Chief Hank Stawinski charged officer Michael Owen Jr. with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and associated weapons charges.
In a statement to the press, Police Chief Stawinski said, “In my view, this constitutes a crime, and that individual will be held accountable for that crime in the same way that any individual, under law, would be held accountable…. There aren’t two sets of rules, and there is no dynamic whereby we’re going to defend the indefensible. We’re not defending the indefensible, and this demonstrates our commitment to that very principle once again.”
The Murphy Falcon & Murphy team will aggressively advocate for a fair and thorough investigation of this terrible incident, Owen’s background on the police force, and how or whether the Law Enforcement Officer’s Bill of Rights (LEOBR) affects the pursuit of justice following fatal police shootings.
Our team of civil rights attorneys will represent the Green family in seeking answers, justice, and compensation for William’s tragic death. We are confident that our work will bring about major progress in the criminal justice system within the State of Maryland to make our community a better and safer place for us all.