News (Media Awareness Project) - US MI: Group Sues Over Information On Shootings |
| Title: | US MI: Group Sues Over Information On Shootings |
| Published On: | 2002-01-23 |
| Source: | Sturgis Journal, The (MI) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-24 23:16:02 |
GROUP SUES OVER INFORMATION ON SHOOTINGS
VANDALIA -- Supporters of a campground owner shot to death following a
standoff with police are suing over the release of autopsy reports and
other documents.
The lawsuit filed last week in the Michigan Court of Claims said the Jan. 7
release of autopsy reports on Grover Crosslin, 46, and Roland Rohm, 28,
police reports and a prosecutor's review of the case were delayed.
The plaintiffs are Bill McMaster of Taxpayers United of Birmingham, Shirley
DeWeese, a sister of Crosslin, Geraldine and John Livermore, mother and
stepfather of Rohm, and Trena Moss, a frequent camper at Rainbow Farm Camp
Ground, where the shootings occurred.
The lawsuit claims the plaintiffs were denied the information earlier,
violating Michigan's Freedom of Information Act.
They are seeking punitive damages of $27,000 for nine alleged violations of
the Freedom of Information Act and punitive damages of $11,000 for three
alleged violations of the Michigan Open Meetings Act by the county board,
The Herald-Palladium of St. Joseph reported Monday.
Crosslin, a prominent supporter of the decriminalization of marijuana,
owned the land about 30 miles northwest of South Bend, Ind. Rainbow Farm
hosted at least two music festivals each year, HempAid and RoachRoast,
according to the campground's Web site.
Crosslin was shot to death in September after a dayslong police standoff.
Rohm, 28, who lived with Crosslin at Rainbow Farm, was fatally shot the
next day.
In both cases, the men were shot by law enforcement officers after
authorities say they pointed loaded guns at police. Supporters of the men
contend the deaths were unnecessary and that police had overreacted.
On Jan. 7, Cass County Prosecutor Scott Teter released documents in the
case, including photographs, court papers and copies of police and autopsy
reports.
The suit names Teter, the seven members of the Cass County Board of
Commissioners, Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm, Dr. Robert Knox
of Edwardsburg, who examined the bodies, and Terry Proctor, the county
administrator.
Teter said he could not comment Friday on the lawsuit. In the past, he has
previously denied there was any effort to cover up the facts.
VANDALIA -- Supporters of a campground owner shot to death following a
standoff with police are suing over the release of autopsy reports and
other documents.
The lawsuit filed last week in the Michigan Court of Claims said the Jan. 7
release of autopsy reports on Grover Crosslin, 46, and Roland Rohm, 28,
police reports and a prosecutor's review of the case were delayed.
The plaintiffs are Bill McMaster of Taxpayers United of Birmingham, Shirley
DeWeese, a sister of Crosslin, Geraldine and John Livermore, mother and
stepfather of Rohm, and Trena Moss, a frequent camper at Rainbow Farm Camp
Ground, where the shootings occurred.
The lawsuit claims the plaintiffs were denied the information earlier,
violating Michigan's Freedom of Information Act.
They are seeking punitive damages of $27,000 for nine alleged violations of
the Freedom of Information Act and punitive damages of $11,000 for three
alleged violations of the Michigan Open Meetings Act by the county board,
The Herald-Palladium of St. Joseph reported Monday.
Crosslin, a prominent supporter of the decriminalization of marijuana,
owned the land about 30 miles northwest of South Bend, Ind. Rainbow Farm
hosted at least two music festivals each year, HempAid and RoachRoast,
according to the campground's Web site.
Crosslin was shot to death in September after a dayslong police standoff.
Rohm, 28, who lived with Crosslin at Rainbow Farm, was fatally shot the
next day.
In both cases, the men were shot by law enforcement officers after
authorities say they pointed loaded guns at police. Supporters of the men
contend the deaths were unnecessary and that police had overreacted.
On Jan. 7, Cass County Prosecutor Scott Teter released documents in the
case, including photographs, court papers and copies of police and autopsy
reports.
The suit names Teter, the seven members of the Cass County Board of
Commissioners, Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm, Dr. Robert Knox
of Edwardsburg, who examined the bodies, and Terry Proctor, the county
administrator.
Teter said he could not comment Friday on the lawsuit. In the past, he has
previously denied there was any effort to cover up the facts.
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