Milwaukee Common Council wants MPD to be more transparent
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Keller Russell reports Video by 620wtmj.com
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Jermont Terry reports Video by 620wtmj.com
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The Milwaukee County medical examiner's office has changed its ruling in the case of Derek Williams from natural death to homicide. Williams died in police custody in July 2011. Video by 620wtmj.com
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Jermont Terry reports Video by 620wtmj.com
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City Hall. | Photo: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
MILWAUKEE- Several members of the Milwaukee Common Council are calling on the Milwaukee Police Department to be more transparent.
The request came during a news conference Tuesday surrounding Derek Williams -- the man who died in police custody last year. His death was recently ruled a homicide.
"There definitely needs to be some improvement in the communication, methodology and style...not just in the Derek Williams case, but all cases moving forward," said Alderwoman Milele Coggs.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the medical examiner's decision came after the newspaper alerted an assistant medical examiner to newly released records -- including a video of a suffocating Derek Williams pleading for help from the back of a squad car.
Aldermen are also calling for the Milwaukee County district attorney's office to move quickly in appointing a special prosecutor to review the case.
"We're asking the district attorney to move quickly...in getting this information out to us and the public, so we know exactly what we're talking about," said Alderman Ashanti Hamilton.
Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm said on Monday he is re-opening the case. Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn said his department plans on fully cooperating with this new investigation.
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