Demonstrators press on following Mensah probable cause ruling

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Demonstrators celebrated a rare moment in Wisconsin's courts Wednesday, July 28.

A judge found probable cause former Wauwatosa police officer Joseph Mensah committed a crime the night he shot Jay Anderson, Jr.

The demonstrators marched from Hart Park in a show to keep the pressure on the justice system.

Now that the judge found probable cause in the Anderson shooting, the judge will appoint a special prosecutor who will determine what, if any, charges to file against Mensah.

For the demonstrators, that means there is still a long way to to go for any potential trial.

Demonstrators popped champagne corks in a moment of celebration for The Peoples Revolution.

"We feel happy we had the opportunity to present these cases in front of this judge and for the judge to make this decision," said demonstrator Kamila Ahmed.

But she recognizes there's a long road ahead.

"It's a stepping stone right now," said Ahmed.

After months of hearings, a Milwaukee County judge found what the district attorney did not.

"The court does find probable cause that Officer Joseph Mensah operated a weapon, in a matter constituting criminal negligence, and in so doing, caused the death of Jay Anderson Jr.," said Judge Glenn Yamahiro.

Mensah shot and killed Anderson in 2016 after finding him sleeping in his car after hours in Wauwatosa's Madison Park.

Mensah told investigators Anderson was reaching for a gun before he shot him.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm ruled the shooting justified.

He also ruled Mensah justified in two other fatal shootings, all within a five-year span.

"We're not finished, we still have work to do, there's still more to come," said Ahmed.

Mensah resigned from the police force in November and was later hired by the Waukesha County Sheriff's Office. Following Wednesday's ruling, Wauwatosa's new police chief said he's focused on repairing the department's relationship with its community.

"My role here is to lead this department moving forward, to establish that community trust, to rebuild that trust and help the community with its healing," said Chief James MacGillis.

The Waukesha County Sheriff's Office said it's reviewing its options following Wednesday's probable cause finding.

The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office had no comment.