Mack, Justin L. 2021. ‘Truth must be told’: Family demands answers after Speedway police kill schizophrenic man Indianapolis Star, Mar 26, 2021. (accessed March 31, 2021).

The family of a mentally ill Black man shot and killed by Speedway police officers last month is demanding that body camera footage of the shooting be released to the public.

On Wednesday, attorneys representing the family of De’Aire Jontae Gray submitted a letter to Speedway town officials and the special prosecutor handling the ongoing investigation. The letter was originally reported on by WRTV-6.

In the letter, attorneys David S. Lipschultz and Eric S. Pavlack say that the public has only been provided “limited and conflicting information” about the case. They also highlighted discrepancies between the initial police reports and court documents filed in pursuit of charges against Gray.

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Officials from the Speedway Police Department and the Marion County Coroner’s office referred all questions related to the case to Gaal. When contacted for a response to the letter, clarity on the firearm and to obtain a copy of the video in question, Gaal told IndyStar he cannot comment on a currently ongoing investigation.

Gaal also denied IndyStar’s request for the video, citing the recording’s investigatory nature. He added that he anticipates filing a public report with the court when the investigation is complete.

Indiana’s public record laws allow police departments the discretion to refuse the release of requested records if those records are deemed to be investigatory in nature.

The Department of Justice defines an investigatory record as “information compiled in the course of the investigation of a crime.” The investigatory records exception applies to records in ongoing investigations whether or not someone is charged with a crime.

The exception also applies to records compiled during the course of the investigation even after an investigation has been completed.

You can read the full article here: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2021/03/25/deaire-gray-family-demands-answers-after-speedway-police-shooting/6995719002/