Vinson Case Update: Report Coming, then New Police Auditor

According to Eric Mansfield, the report on the independent investigation of the Demetrus Vinson shooting will soon be released:

So now I hear that the Demetrus Vinson case file has been reduced to a draft of a final report. Sources tell me that County Prosecutors (Both Walsh’s and Mason’s offices) are reviewing its contents, but there’s no way of knowing when they’ll be ready to announce a final ruling to the public. What I don’t know is if the prosecutors are asking additional questions or even requesting additional tests be complete .. or whether they’re just making sure that everyone involved is in agreement. One prediction I will make is that when a press conference is finally held to announce the findings, the explanation will be short. Think “less-is-more”. The less investigators say, the more likely the explanation will reach the public in its entirety. I would expect copies of the final report to be released to the public to add some transparency to the final ruling – whatever it is – but don’t look for a long public statement from investigators.

And as always, I have to tell you where it is so you can scroll down on the blog. The paragraph is quoted from the May 28 entry. It's the sum total of what he says about the case.

Meanwhile ABJ is reporting on Ohio.com today that the city will name a police auditor after the investigation is concluded.

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic said today he is close to naming a police auditor, but he won't make the announcement until an independent review of a police-involved shooting is ready.

"I wanted to have the other investigation completed so that this person doesn't get dragged into that," Plusquellic said.

The police auditor idea has been kicking around for at least five years now. I know it was a subject of discussion when I was still working. Good to know that it's close to fruition, though this case makes me wonder if it will make a difference. The police still won't trust the Mayor, the Mayor will still be aggravated by the police, the people in the neighborhoods will still say the Mayor and the police are in cahoots and the Auditor will always be accused of favoring the other side, depending on who the other side is.

Meanwhile, I haven't heard any additional news about a community effort to raise money for an independent foresic examiner to look at the case. More on that if I can run it down.