Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jan 2002 Source: Sturgis Journal, The (MI) Copyright: 2002 The Sturgis Journal Contact: http://www.sturgisjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1481 Author: Associated Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?200 (Rainbow Campground Shooting) GROUP SUES OVER INFORMATION ON SHOOTINGS VANDALIA -- Supporters of a campground owner shot to death following a standoff with police are suing over the release of autopsy reports and other documents. The lawsuit filed last week in the Michigan Court of Claims said the Jan. 7 release of autopsy reports on Grover Crosslin, 46, and Roland Rohm, 28, police reports and a prosecutor's review of the case were delayed. The plaintiffs are Bill McMaster of Taxpayers United of Birmingham, Shirley DeWeese, a sister of Crosslin, Geraldine and John Livermore, mother and stepfather of Rohm, and Trena Moss, a frequent camper at Rainbow Farm Camp Ground, where the shootings occurred. The lawsuit claims the plaintiffs were denied the information earlier, violating Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. They are seeking punitive damages of $27,000 for nine alleged violations of the Freedom of Information Act and punitive damages of $11,000 for three alleged violations of the Michigan Open Meetings Act by the county board, The Herald-Palladium of St. Joseph reported Monday. Crosslin, a prominent supporter of the decriminalization of marijuana, owned the land about 30 miles northwest of South Bend, Ind. Rainbow Farm hosted at least two music festivals each year, HempAid and RoachRoast, according to the campground's Web site. Crosslin was shot to death in September after a dayslong police standoff. Rohm, 28, who lived with Crosslin at Rainbow Farm, was fatally shot the next day. In both cases, the men were shot by law enforcement officers after authorities say they pointed loaded guns at police. Supporters of the men contend the deaths were unnecessary and that police had overreacted. On Jan. 7, Cass County Prosecutor Scott Teter released documents in the case, including photographs, court papers and copies of police and autopsy reports. The suit names Teter, the seven members of the Cass County Board of Commissioners, Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm, Dr. Robert Knox of Edwardsburg, who examined the bodies, and Terry Proctor, the county administrator. Teter said he could not comment Friday on the lawsuit. In the past, he has previously denied there was any effort to cover up the facts. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth