Pubdate: Wed, 07 Jan 2004
Source: Ledger-Enquirer (GA)
Copyright: 2004 Ledger-Enquirer
Contact:  http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/enquirer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/237
Author: Meg Pirnie
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/kenneth+walker

MAYOR: STAY CALM, PATIENT

Da Says No Reports Released Until All Criminal Litigation Is Complete

Columbus Mayor Bob Poydasheffasked the community to be patient while
the Georgia Bureau of Investigation finishes its investigation into
the shooting death of Kenneth B. Walker.

During a press conference Tuesday, the mayor said that agents are
continuing their investigation and will give results to District
Attorney Gray Conger. Conger then will decide whether to release the
findings to the public, Poydasheff said.

Conger said he has no plans to release any direct evidence in the case
until all potential criminal proceedings are complete.

Walker, 39, was unarmed Dec. 10 when a Muscogee County deputy sheriff
fatally shot him beside Interstate 185 during the stop of a vehicle
believed to be carrying armed drug dealers from Miami.

Walker and three other Columbus men were pulled from the GMC Yukon. No
drugs or weapons were found.

"Our community is still in shock and in grief over the death of Mr.
Walker, and I want to emphasize that this shock and grief is shared
throughout the city," Poydasheff said.

The mayor said residents and leaders are frustrated by the
investigation's slow pace.

"We must not let our impatience and our frustration divide our
community or cause us to lose sight of our common goal," Poydasheff
said. "As painful as it is for all of us, we must be patient and let
them complete their work."

No timetable

The mayor said he had spoken with the head of the GBI, who assured him
that the investigation remains a top priority for the
organization.

The GBI cannot give a timetable for completion, Poydasheff said, but
promised work would be thorough.

The mayor said he does not know of any specific problems agents have
encountered during the investigation, but said problems can arise in
any investigation and slow the pace.

The FBI is conducting a parallel and separate inquiry, and will give
its results to the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia,
Poydasheff said. The completion of that investigation will not affect
the GBI investigation.

After the GBI concludes its investigation, agents will turn all
information over to Conger, the mayor said.

Conger wouldn't comment on a timetable to make the results public.
"Under Georgia law, it's not public until all litigation, including
direct appeal, is over," he said.

Conger will have two choices once the report is complete, he said.
Either he can decline to pursue criminal charges or he can take the
case before the grand jury to seek an indictment.

He later explained that while he could release the report, he has
never released evidence before potential criminal litigation.

"I'm not going to do anything or say anything about it until I see
it."

Conger said he believes that if criminal litigation is not filed, the
investigation will become public record.

'Counterproductive'

Responding to questions about possible picketing in front of the
Government Center next week and a boycott against city-owned
properties, Poydasheff said he supported the right to free speech, but
did not believe either activity would be productive.

"That would be counterproductive to one Columbus, counterproductive to
moving ahead, counterproductive to seeing that fair and impartial
justice is done," he said.

Poydasheff said he had no comments about how Sheriff Ralph Johnston
has handled the investigation.

The mayor has not talked to the deputy involved in the shooting and
does not have authority to do so, he said.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin