ARIZONA, But incident took place in CA
On 3/27/06 my father was standing at a city bus stop and was shot and killed. I've acquired about 20 newspaper articles on the incident which have not only revealed many inconsistencies, but have also lead me to question the Police Department and the Sheriff's Department on the specific details of my father's violent death. The police said it was not a "drive-by shooting" and the Sheriff's office report states that it was indeed a drive-by shooting. The sheriff's department has recently merged with the coroner's office which brings me to another issue. Following my providing the sheriff/coroner's office with some "Release" form which basically confirmed that I was next of kin, decision-maker, etc. the Sheriff Deputy from the coroner's office released my father's personal property(id, wallet, keys, glasses, and clothing) to my Uncle whom had no right whatsoever to receive it. The deputy denies any wrong-doing since he ("in good faith") handed the property over to the funeral home's driver(my "agent") and the driver gave the property to the wrong party. So, the deputy says that I should take that issue up with the funeral home. Of course the funeral home denies and says just the opposite. I believe it was the coroner's/sheriff's duty to hold my father's property in trust, but I'm not sure.
More importantly, there are other details surrounding my father's death that lead me to distrust the government's account of who may really be responsible for my father's death. Just yesterday, I spoke with the lead detective in charge of the investigation for the third time since the incident. I have been keeping records of our communications which have not corroborated with other stories.
Also, I've noticed that many of the newspaper stories make it clear that the shootings happened on the same day that the mayor promoted a new chief of police and repeatedly described the crime scene as being located in a "blighted area that is targeted for a major dowmtown redevelopment project."
The police have said that my father was found dead at the scene right at the bus stop. One of the first newspaper stories state that one man was found near the restaurant and one in a nearby field.
I apologize for this long message, but I am in desperate need for some answers here and I don't know where to turn. The DA's office referred me to a victim's advocate who thankfully assisted my brother and I financially for the funeral costs. However, this so-called victim's advocate approved the financial assistance for the funeral and that was it, she hasn't once called me with any updates on the case. I guess I cannot really expect her to take much of a personal interest here, although she could have shown a little more concern and support for my feelings. Anyways, I have been in close contact with the same detective on the case and previously the sheriff's office. My only source of info concerning my father's death comes from one person, the detective, who provides me with quick and unclarified responses which have served no purpose, in my opinion.
Most importantly, I would very much appreciate anyone's input here on my situation. My father was only 50 years old, an AirForce veteran, and a gentle soul who did not deserve to die this way.
Julie
On 3/27/06 my father was standing at a city bus stop and was shot and killed. I've acquired about 20 newspaper articles on the incident which have not only revealed many inconsistencies, but have also lead me to question the Police Department and the Sheriff's Department on the specific details of my father's violent death. The police said it was not a "drive-by shooting" and the Sheriff's office report states that it was indeed a drive-by shooting. The sheriff's department has recently merged with the coroner's office which brings me to another issue. Following my providing the sheriff/coroner's office with some "Release" form which basically confirmed that I was next of kin, decision-maker, etc. the Sheriff Deputy from the coroner's office released my father's personal property(id, wallet, keys, glasses, and clothing) to my Uncle whom had no right whatsoever to receive it. The deputy denies any wrong-doing since he ("in good faith") handed the property over to the funeral home's driver(my "agent") and the driver gave the property to the wrong party. So, the deputy says that I should take that issue up with the funeral home. Of course the funeral home denies and says just the opposite. I believe it was the coroner's/sheriff's duty to hold my father's property in trust, but I'm not sure.
More importantly, there are other details surrounding my father's death that lead me to distrust the government's account of who may really be responsible for my father's death. Just yesterday, I spoke with the lead detective in charge of the investigation for the third time since the incident. I have been keeping records of our communications which have not corroborated with other stories.
Also, I've noticed that many of the newspaper stories make it clear that the shootings happened on the same day that the mayor promoted a new chief of police and repeatedly described the crime scene as being located in a "blighted area that is targeted for a major dowmtown redevelopment project."
The police have said that my father was found dead at the scene right at the bus stop. One of the first newspaper stories state that one man was found near the restaurant and one in a nearby field.
I apologize for this long message, but I am in desperate need for some answers here and I don't know where to turn. The DA's office referred me to a victim's advocate who thankfully assisted my brother and I financially for the funeral costs. However, this so-called victim's advocate approved the financial assistance for the funeral and that was it, she hasn't once called me with any updates on the case. I guess I cannot really expect her to take much of a personal interest here, although she could have shown a little more concern and support for my feelings. Anyways, I have been in close contact with the same detective on the case and previously the sheriff's office. My only source of info concerning my father's death comes from one person, the detective, who provides me with quick and unclarified responses which have served no purpose, in my opinion.
Most importantly, I would very much appreciate anyone's input here on my situation. My father was only 50 years old, an AirForce veteran, and a gentle soul who did not deserve to die this way.
Julie