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.
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