Aug 13, 2008 11:16 pm US/Eastern
NAACP Says Probe Of Inmate's Death Taking Too Long
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (WJZ) ―
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It's been six weeks since Ronnie White was found strangled in his Prince George's County cell, just two days after being charged with murder.
CBS
It's been six weeks since a Howard County man charged in a police officer's murder was found dead in a jail cell. Investigators aren't moving fast enough, according to critics.
Kelly McPherson talked to the state's attorney and those upset with the process.
It's been six weeks since Ronnie White was found strangled in his Prince George's County cell, just two days after being charged with murder. He was accused of running over and killing Corporal Richard Finley as Finley tried to approach a stolen car.
The FBI in Baltimore took over the homicide investigation. The NAACP says it's taking too long and that confidence in police is at stake.
"We don't want that to be eroded by a very long period of investigation, a very long period, before people are brought before the grand jury to be charged with this," said June White Dillard, Prince George's County NAACP.
Investigators are waiting on the medical examiner's final report. That's due 60 days after the crime. Supporters of White want the autopsy released immediately so the public can know more about what happened inside the prison.
The office of the state's attorney for Prince George's County says the investigation is going along just like any other homicide investigation. Indictments for other recent, high-profile cases in the county took months.
A crash on the Beltway killed two people. A Prince George's County officer was blamed. Scott Campbell was indicted for vehicular manslaughter nine months later.
Last year, Keith Washington was accused and found guilty of shooting two furniture deliverymen. His indictment for involuntary manslaughter took six months.
The NAACP is demanding a shorter timeline in this case.
"That is not acceptable. This case has put a cloud over this county, has put a cloud over the correctional officers who are faithfully executing their duties every day. We don't need that cloud in Prince George's County," Dillard said.
The state's attorney's office promises to tell the public when the autopsy report is final.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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