Leon Rosby, infamously known for his dog, Max, being killed by Hawthorne, CA police back in June of this year, is now facing multiple felony charges related to this case.
Max, a two-year old Rottweiler, was shot four times as Mr. Rosby was handcuffed after police stated he was disturbing a crime scene by blaring music from his car and walking too closely with his dog where a robbery was actively taking place. Prior to being handcuffed, Robsy put Max in the back seat of his car with the windows rolled down. As Rosby was handcuffed, Max jumped out and allegedly lunged at the police officers resulting in his convulsive death.
A YouTube video showing the altercation resulting in Max’s death has gone viral with over five million views. There was an additional video of the crime scene by an unidentified woman that includes footage leading up to what happened with Mr. Rosby. The Hawthorne Police Department released this video to the public and apparently shows more of the officers’ actions prior to the shooting.”
According to the woman, Rosby used a curse word when telling officers he would not turn down his car radio. Rosby disputes this by stressing that he is a minister.
He is also quoted as saying, “Max was only protecting his master. He was trying to stop them from beating on me,” according to an article by Larry Altman for the Daily Breeze.
(I find that statement interesting because the video indicates Rosby was cooperating and the police didn’t use any force while handcuffing him.)
Rosby allegedly confronted this witness at her home and “had a verbal confrontation with her and her son”, the DA’s office said. Due to his actions, “Rosby has been charged with two felony counts each of dissuading a witness from prosecuting a crime, and intimidation of a witness and making criminal threats.”
He was also charged with one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest.
According to Daily Breeze article, Rosby has filed six complaints against the Hawthorne police. He has also been in court for resisting arrest, battery and DUI.
Rosby was arraigned in August with prosecutors asking that his bail be set at $310,000, according to the DA’s office.
Rosby has pled not guilty to all counts.
Rosby is now being represented by celebrity attorney Mark Geragos as seen in the photo. (photo courtesy of nbclosangeles.com)
Rosby has his followers but he also has his detractors. Many support him while others blame him for the situations he is being accused of. Rosby claims he is a minister at World Overcomers Outreach Ministries, Inc. where it states he is also the Chief Financial Officer. I have been unable to find any other information linking to him any church where he preaches.
Here is what someone had to say to Rosby on his facebook page:
” Leon. You’re a 52 year old man. At what point do you finally stop blaming everyone around you for the situations you find yourself in and realize you are the creator of those situations? This is something we teach our children to overcome to become prosperous members of society with responsibility and self-control, possessing character to behold. How do you answer to death threats against an officer you incorrectly named as the shooter of your dog? You know you were not arrested for filming, yet, never once did you try to correct reports to the contrary. Please do not try to fool yourself or insult the intelligence of your supporters by saying you had no idea there was so much misinformation going around regarding this shooting incident. You claim to be a minister of World Overcomers Inc., an organization that doesn’t appear to exist but for a similarly named church in Tennessee which offers online courses but does not list you as a staff member. How does a “minister” find himself threatening a family possessing a video of the same incident (same rights to film) to the point of moving to a new location? Leon? When is it time to stop inflicting yourself into the lives of strangers and work on yourself?”
I do believe the Hawthorne police were reckless and Max certainly did not deserve and nor should he have lost his life that fateful day. Police Officers should not resort to killing dogs as the first line of defense when dealing with dogs. I feel proper training is in order for all police departments. There are too many reports of non-aggressive dogs being killed by those who are supposed to protect us.
Max was well-behaved on his leash. Question is, was taking his dog to the scene of crime while he purposely videotaped the police in action a smart move? Rosby was well within his rights to videotape. But, why take your dog to a crime scene and walk in close proximity while an active robbery is taking place. Trust me, that would be the last place I would take my dog. I would keep him safe at home. Rosby only lives a block away from the crime scene where Max was killed. Why was it necessary to drive, blare music and refuse to turn it down when asked and walk your dog around the perimeter of the crime scene?
When questioned by others or saying it was his fault, Rosby posts the same following statement on multiple sites:
Because I own a business and a US citizen, Rosby’s in the right. Wake up Rosby, you’ve had too many run-ins with the law. If you’re a minister, which I highly doubt, why are you arrested for battery and DUI? Stop hiding behind a fake persona.
The police didn’t have to shoot Max. They deserve to be punished. I also think Rosby is not quite the man he is portraying. and Geragos. Please.
This man was asking for trouble. And he got it. He never should have taken his dog. As the person wrote, he created the situation by taking his dog. The police weren’t going to beat him. Something about him does not ring true.
While I certainly feel sorry for the loss of this guy’s best friend, he put his dog in his harm’s way and won’t accept responsibility.
The cops are using tactics to take away from what they did to this poor dog. Max died needlessly. Where’s their punishment? Why are they continually allowed to shoot and kill pet dogs?
Leon is a wannabe. He cursed. He’s been arrested on various charges. If he hadn’t been there in the first place putting Max in danger, this wouldn’t have happened. It’s one thing to videotape but another to take your dog to a dangerous situation. That’s just plain stupid. I don’t care about his reasons. He created this mess. The police didn’t have to shoot Max four times. That’s excessive force and so cruel. I feel the officer needs to be reprimanded, whatever that means. Police do need training. The murders of dogs has to stop. But, so does stupidity from civilians.
The police used excessive force when they killed Max in cold blood. The police mishandled that situation badly BUT the situation wouldn’t have been had it not been for this guy going around asking about where the African American police officers were. He has a history with the police department. He was harrassing them by videotaping. I know it’s legal to do that but doesn’t he work. How did he have the time to race over there with his dog in tow to do this? It seems he’s waiting to irritate the police. He’s going around parading and demanding all of these officers be fired and other people. Who does he think he is?
Max paid the ultimate price for his owner’s stupidity. I think he’s using the death of his dog to further his cause- himself.
Max never should have died. Rosby was making trouble and the police handled the situation poorly. Knowing he had a dog, they should have made sure he was secure. Guess Rosby could have done that too.
Then Rosby intimidates a witness because of what she saw and heard. It doesn’t go along with what he’s saying. Grow up and go away.
RIP Max. You shouldn’t have died.
That’s what you get when you intimidate a witness!
Team Max, we will never give up! It’s amazing that the Hawthorne Police Department, City of Hawthorne and the Los Angeles DA office would file bogus charges on me and get someone to lie. The witness for them came to court and said that she lied on me under oath. She said I never talk to her and also I never threaten her, she also said that the Hawthorne Police Detective threaten her not me and he told her if she didn’t testify against me they would take her section 8 housing program from her and take her to jail. Crazy right! First they kill Max and then they falsify 6 felony charges and 1 misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest against me…..Corruption at the highest! I pray for peace in the City of Hawthorne, CA….We need to get all the public officials that are involved in this case removed for incompetence and or corruption…. This is new NEWS everybody… They was retaliating against me for a lawsuit that was filed on them a year before this! Remember always investigate things before judging…..
Why would you go to the other witness? Because it shows something Rosby doesn’t wnat people to see. If you have something to hide, then your case is not as clear cut as it may appear. Appearances can be deceiving. He has too many incidences with cops. It doesn’t add up. I don’t care if he’s a voter, owns a business, a U.S. citizen, etc…walking around a crime scene despite not crossing the line with your dog tells me he’s trying to make a point. I don’t ever hear how much he really misses or loves Max. Where’s the grieving for his dog? I haven’t seen that. I would be in tears not intimidating witnesses.
Team Max, we will never give up! It’s amazing that the Hawthorne Police Department, City of Hawthorne and the Los Angeles DA office would file bogus charges on me and get someone to lie. The witness for them came to court and said that she lied on me under oath. She said I never talk to her and also I never threaten her, she also said that the Hawthorne Police Detective threaten her not me and he told her if she didn’t testify against me they would take her section 8 housing program from her and take her to jail. Crazy right! First they kill Max and then they falsify 6 felony charges and 1 misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest against me…..Corruption at the highest! I pray for peace in the City of Hawthorne, CA….We need to get all the public officials that are involved in this case removed for incompetence and or corruption…. This is new NEWS everybody… They was retaliating against me for a lawsuit that was filed on them a year before this! Remember always investigate things before judging…..
Why is Geragos involved with this? He goes for celebrities like Chris Brown, Michael Jackson and Scott Peterson. What does that tell you? Doesn’t exactly go for the innocent.
Rosby has to accept some responsibility. I read how Geragos is calling out the police department but won’t recognize the partial fault of his client. These two are both seeking publicity. Max died of stupidity coming from both sides. There are no winners.
I thought this was a do***entary, I don’t want to watch this!
This guy is a trouble maker. He pretends to be suffering the loss of his dog but I’ve never seen any sadness emanating from him. I believe he did this. He’s been in trouble in the past and put himself in a position to cause trouble that day he got his own dog killed.
It’s amazing how some people say it was my fault and I should have mind my own business and left the Police only, that’s crazy!
1. I live in Hawthorne in the community.
2. We own a business in Hawthorne.
3. I am a citizen of the United States America.
4. I’m a person that love God and Justice!
5. I’m also a voter.
Now to everybody that said I should have mind my on business it was my business to film the police in Hawthorne, especially when I pay there salaries. God bless
Team Max, we will never give up! It’s amazing that the Hawthorne Police Department, City of Hawthorne and the Los Angeles DA office would file bogus charges on me and get someone to lie. The witness for them came to court and said that she lied on me under oath. She said I never talk to her and also I never threaten her, she also said that the Hawthorne Police Detective threaten her not me and he told her if she didn’t testify against me they would take her section 8 housing program from her and take her to jail. Crazy right! First they kill Max and then they falsify 6 felony charges and 1 misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest against me…..Corruption at the highest! I pray for peace in the City of Hawthorne, CA….We need to get all the public officials that are involved in this case removed for incompetence and or corruption…. This is new NEWS everybody… They was retaliating against me for a lawsuit that was filed on them a year before this! Remember always investigate things before judging…..
If this is really Leon, why can’t I find any of what you wrote when I googled it? Something about you and your case (in your mind) doesn’t add up. You instigated the whole thing by having your dog at a crime scene. There was no reason for that. You were agitating the police officers on purpose of which you will not admit. I’m not saying what they did was right but what you did was also not right either. You have harrassed the police in your area for quite some time to prove whatever it is you feel you need to prove. You say you’re a minister. Yeah, right. There’s no proof of that either. Your 15 minutes of fame are up. I’m sorry about Max. He didn’t deserve to die. He also didn’t deserve to be put in that position caused by YOU, LEON!