Crime & Justice with Donna Rotunno

Episode: Is a Car a Deadly Weapon? John Chell Slams Boston DA's Charge

Date: April 1, 2026
Host: Donna Rotunno (A)
Guests:

• Molly Line, Fox News Correspondent (C)
• John Chell, Former NYPD Chief of Department (B)

Episode Theme & Purpose

This episode examines the controversial manslaughter charge against Boston Police Officer Nicholas O’Malley, who fatally shot carjacking suspect Stevenson King. Host Donna Rotunno and guests break down the legal, procedural, and political angles of the case—questioning the speed of the prosecution, the charge itself, and wider implications for policing and public safety. The central debate: Was the use of deadly force justified, and is the car in this incident rightly considered a deadly weapon? The episode also critiques the political climate around policing and prosecutions in progressive cities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Incident & Charges

• [00:39] Case Background: Officer O’Malley shot and killed Stevenson King, a suspect with a criminal history who had carjacked a woman (with assault), refused police orders, and tried to evade capture by driving erratically.
  • King “maneuvered his vehicle forward, reverse and forward again,” prompting O’Malley to fire through the driver’s side window. (C)
  • O’Malley claimed he feared for his fellow officers’ safety and that King had tried to “run us over.” (C)

Rapid Prosecution and Lack of Grand Jury

• [03:14] Speed of Charges: Rotunno and Line criticize prosecution for acting within “seven or eight days” without a grand jury:

  • “They charge this officer within seven or eight days of this happening without any real investigation.” (A)
  • In normal procedure, a grand jury or preliminary hearing would review evidence before formal charges. (A)

• [05:12] Political Fallout: Local Boston politicians are divided; some call for transparency and bodycam footage, others urge not to rush to judgment.

  • Quote, Councilor Erin Murphy:

    “Public reporting shows ... [King] had a long criminal history, multiple open cases, repeated violations, and was out on bail at the time of this incident. That matters for public safety.” (C, 06:03)

  • Quote, Councilor Ed Flynn:

    “As a city, we should not rush to judgment and immediately second guess Boston Police Officer Nick Ali ... The city should not penalize Police Officer Om Ali and his family.” (C, 06:37)

Public & Police Reaction

• [08:15] Public Support for O’Malley:
  • Significant community backing, including a GoFundMe nearing $500,000 for O’Malley’s family and strong support from the local Police Patrolman’s Association. (C)
• [09:58] Policing Climate: John Chell links this event to a broader trend since George Floyd, where police are “vilified” and criminals “emboldened” due to progressive policies and weak consequences.
  • “Bad guys throughout this country are now emboldened because the consequences are weak.” (B, 00:09 & 09:58)
  • “A car is a deadly weapon. That car will kill you.” (B, 10:47)

Split-Second Policing and Use of Force

• [12:31] Decision-Making Under Pressure:
  • “This isn’t TV. This is real life ... they don’t know who they’re dealing with ... They don’t have time to sit and talk to her.” (A, 11:41; B, 12:31)
  • “Sometimes police work gets messy. ... It’s a contact sport.” (B, 12:49)

Community Expectations vs. Political Decisions

• [13:34] Disconnect Between Voters & Policy:
  • “When you go out into the street ... people want more police. ... They don’t subscribe to what we hear as the fringes all the time.” (B, 13:34)
  • Low voter turnout in large cities leads to election of officials whose policies may not reflect majority views, with negative consequences for police morale and public safety. (B, 14:24)

Differences in Prosecution Processes

• [15:32] Comparisons with NY Process:
  • In New York, police-shooting cases typically go through the state Attorney General first and involve thorough investigation before charges. (B, 15:32)
  • “Normally they wait for the investigation to take place ... they wait until they have all the evidence.” (A, 16:12)
  • “Not the norm... It takes time.” (B, 16:50)

Investigative Protocol & Evidence

• [17:58] Thoroughness Needed:
  • “That video canvas is so key ... before the crime is committed ... then the chase itself ... and on the scene ... radio transmissions, body worn cameras ... It’s tedious, but you have to put a video compilation together.” (B, 17:58)
  • Criticism that authorities did not complete such a comprehensive review before charging. (B/A, 18:29)

Use of Deadly Force Policy

• [22:54] Training & Thresholds:

  • “You use deadly physical force when someone’s about to get killed or seriously injured and likely to die. ... In a car, a car is a weapon. That car hits you ... you’re dead.” (B, 22:54)
  • Officers must articulate what they felt, saw, and why they acted based on circumstances, bodycam, and evidence. (B)

• [23:47] Prosecutors’ Stance:

  • “In every case, they say that car could be used as a weapon. ... But now the car all of a sudden isn’t a weapon when somebody’s driving it.” (A, 23:47)

Arrest and Political Theater

• [24:15] Arrest Procedures:
  • O’Malley was arrested at home and not allowed to surrender, which is against usual practice for police officers and suggests a political motive:

    “This is all for political show.” (B, 24:38)

Lack of Transparency

• [25:11] No Release of Bodycam Video:
  • “If they really felt ... this officer’s life wasn’t in danger, ... it would make a lot of sense ... to release this body camera.” (A, 25:11)
  • In NYPD, bodycam footage from such incidents is released within 30 days and often reviewed immediately by supervisors. (B, 25:40)

Ripple Effects & Law Enforcement Morale

• [26:41] Chilling Impact on Community Policing:

  • “Once the police department is at odds with their local DA ... there’s no going back from this. ... the cops are saying ... ‘we’re not doing anything anymore. It’s not worth it.’ ... Who suffers? The community.” (B, 26:41)

• [28:40] Recruitment Crisis:

  • Growing reluctance to enter police work in “blue cities” due to increased risks, low rewards, and perceived lack of support.
  • Example: NYPD police academy classes have shrunk from 2,000 applicants (1994) to struggling to get 600–700. (B, 29:00)

• [29:54] Concerns Over New Recruits:

  • “Now you’ve got cops coming on board ... they were a getaway driver, but they weren’t at the robberies.” (B, 29:43)
  • Examples of compromised integrity in public-facing safety roles.

Political Leadership Critique

• [30:50] NYC Politics:
  • New mayor’s term described as “a complete failure ... lost his police department ... it’s been 85 days ... I don’t see getting any better anytime soon.” (B, 30:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Bad guys throughout this country are now emboldened because the consequences are weak. And you’re backed up by Democratic left DAs that don’t want to punish you because it’s not your fault, it’s everybody else’s fault.” — John Chell (B), [00:09] & [09:58]

• “A car is a deadly weapon. That car will kill you. Thousands of pounds coming at you.” — John Chell (B), [10:47]

• “Sometimes police work gets messy. It gets messy. It’s a contact sport. Sometimes it just is.” — John Chell (B), [12:49]

• “If you’re going to second guess yourself on this job, you’re going to get yourself hurt. So this is a recipe for just not what should be happening in any community in this city right now. I mean, this country.” — John Chell (B), [20:53]

• “You use deadly physical force when someone’s about to get killed or seriously injured and likely to die. ... In a car, a car is a weapon.” — John Chell (B), [22:54]

• “In every...case, they say that car could be used as a weapon. ... But now the car all of a sudden isn’t a weapon when somebody’s driving it. That...doesn’t make any sense to me.” — Donna Rotunno (A), [23:47]

Important Timestamps

• [00:39] — Recap of events and breakdown of police/political response (Molly Line)
• [03:14] — Discussion on speed and process of charges (Rotunno)
• [05:12] — City council reactions and statements (Line)
• [08:15] — Community support for Officer O’Malley (Line)
• [09:58] — John Chell on the national climate for policing
• [12:31] — Fast-moving, high-risk police response described
• [13:34] — Disconnect between public expectations and political policies
• [15:32] — New York protocol for charging officers in shootings
• [17:58] — Need for video evidence and full investigation
• [22:54] — Use of deadly force and the car as a weapon
• [24:15] — Political spectacle around O’Malley’s arrest
• [25:11] — Lack of bodycam release questioned
• [26:41] — Ripple effects on police willingness to engage
• [29:00] — Recruitment and changing police demographics

Conclusion

This episode of Crime & Justice with Donna Rotunno offers a thorough, critical analysis of the Boston officer-involved shooting and its legal, procedural, and political ramifications. The conversation highlights intense public and political division, raises doubts about the prosecution’s impartiality and due process, and frames the case as emblematic of wider trends undermining proactive policing in major cities. Ultimately, the participants advocate for due process, greater community awareness, transparent leadership, and reaffirming support for law enforcement professionals.