ERIK SCOTT USMA '94 GUNNED DOWN BY VEGAS POLICE

December 07, 2010

http://www.lvrj.com/news/commissioners-approve-family-representation-at-inquests-111477144.html

COUNTY COMMISSION: Inquest overhaul approved

Families will get counsel; some officers won't testify

By SCOTT WYLAND
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Families of those killed by Las Vegas police will be allowed independent counsel at coroner's inquests under reforms endorsed by Clark County commissioners Tuesday.

Commissioners gave preliminary approval to this and other reforms on a 4-2 vote after two hours of heated testimony from those who supported and opposed appointing counsel -- or an ombudsman -- to represent the families
.
But that change could result in police officers involved in fatal shootings not testifying and lead to the demise of the inquest process, according to a police union official who plans to urge those officers not to testify rather than face cross-examination from an ombudsman.

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