Special prosecutor wants more time in Derek Williams inquest
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Jermont Terry reports Video by 620wtmj.com
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Jermont Terry reports Video by 620wtmj.com
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Melissa McCrady reports. Video by 620wtmj.com
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Vince Vitrano reports. Video by 620wtmj.com
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Jermont Terry reports Video by 620wtmj.com
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Calls have recently come for Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn to resign or be fired. He responded to calls for his removal, saying "I'm not going anywhere." Story
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Those calls came after a series of issues within the Milwaukee Police Department. Raw video of secret meeting
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Among the cases that have led to this point: the death of Derek Williams in police custody. Story
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He passed away in a case which the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner has called a homicide (a different definition than police/DA's office). Story
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An investigation into alleged strip searches by MPD officers began in March. Special section
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Raw video shows a controversial, aggressive drunk driving arrest by Milwaukee Police officers on Water Street. Story
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The MPD came under recent fire for reportedly under-reporting violent crimes. Story
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A report says that MPD officers did not break policy in how they handled the case of Darius Simmons, a 13-year-old who was shot and killed. Story
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At a meeting of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission, a handful of community members demanded Flynn's resignation. Story
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Mounting pressure surrounding the Derek Williams case brought angry residents to City Hall. Many people asked for the chief's job. Story
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Because of meeting rules, Flynn was not allowed to respond to complaints. He has repeatedly maintained he will not step down. Story
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"Officers are literally placing themselves at personal risk to protect people of every color, every background, every social class. We're committed to continue to do that," Flynn said. Story
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Now, four Milwaukee Police officers face charges in the strip search investigation. Special section
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A federal investigation could begin in the case. Special section on MPD strip searches.
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The officers face a combined 37 charges. One officer faces 25, including sexual assault. Special section on MPD strip searches.
MILWAUKEE - A special prosecutor has asked for a delay in an inquest into the death of Derek Williams has been scheduled to begin Tuesday.
Special prosecutor John Franke, a former state judge, was to begin interviewing witnesses about the night Williams died in police custody.
TODAY'S TMJ4's Jermont Terry reports that Franke is asking for time to consult with the U.S. Attorney, and is asking for a status hearing in three weeks.
He explained that he has a large number of witnesses.
Williams' family considers the public inquest a step towards justice while experts say it's just part of the process.
Maleen Jordan is the great aunt of Derek Williams. Williams was the robbery suspect who died while in Milwaukee police custody last summer. But just this year the medical examiner changed the cause of death from natural causes to a homicide.
"If they're covering up my nephew's murder or killing, how many more are they (Milwaukee police) covering up," asks Jordan. "The first ruling truly wasn't right so when he came with the second ruling, the homicide, that was the right one."
That ruling prompted the feds to look into the death, and an independent inquest by the county to determine if the officers involved committed a crime.
The Journal Sentinel reports that in the past 25 years, not one Milwaukee County inquest jury has recommended charges against a Milwaukee police officer involved in a fatal shooting or in-custody death.
Former federal prosecutor and Newsradio 620 WTMJ personality Jeff Wagner says this inquest is simply a protocol.
"Whatever verdict comes out, its just an advisory verdict so it's not binding," said Wagner. "People shouldn't put too much hope that there's going to be charges that come directly out of this."
Over the past seven days, the Milwaukee Police Department took a lot of heat from the community, city leaders and the feds.
From the billboards demanding those abused by Milwaukee police come forward, to the city wide petition to remove Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn -- there's no question Milwaukee police are under the microscope.
However, Chief Flynn's insists he won't step down. But the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission plans to address policy changes in response to the death of Derek Williams.
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