INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears has filed a motion requesting an independent prosecutor for the investigation and potential prosecution in the May 6, 2020, officer-involved shooting death of Dreasjon Reed.
Prosecutor Mears said he will not ask the court to make the appointment confidential, as is customary for investigations, to allow for transparency throughout the process.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office believes an independent prosecutor will help avoid the appearance of impropriety.
Prosecutor Mears also said he believes Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Randal Taylor’s role as a witness in the investigation constitutes a conflict of interest for him to act as the prosecutor in the case.
“We believe it is important that an independent prosecutor enter the process now to ensure that they can provide an outside review throughout the investigation,” Prosecutor Mears said.
The request does not impact if an outside agency is appointed to handle the investigation. That decision would come from IMPD or from Mayor Hogsett's office.
Mayor Hogsett's office also issued a response on the investigation, saying in part.
"While I continue to have confidence in Chief Randal Taylor and IMPD’s ability to carry out fair and thorough investigations, it is clear to me that more must be done to provide community confidence in the outcome of those processes. That is why this morning, I contacted the United States Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and requested that they actively monitor the investigation of the two police action shootings that occurred this week."
