Families win inquest battle at State Supreme Court

Relatives of family members killed by police won a big victory at the Washington State Supreme Court on Thursday. The court set new rules for conducting inquest hearings, rules the families have been pushing for.

The inquest lawsuit was pursued by the families of Charleena Lyles, Damarius Butts and Isaiah Obet. All were killed by police officers between April and June of 2017.

“It’s been a long time coming. I mean we’re excited,” said Katrina Johnson, cousin to Charleena Lyles

The families and representatives of law enforcement battled in court over King County Executive Dow Constantine’s orders reshaping an inquest process that had frustrated families for decades.

But the State Supreme Court gave the families a unanimous victory today.

It established new inquest rules that say a police officer who kills someone can be required to testify at the inquest. Inquest juries can also determine whether officers used criminal means.

King County Public Defense Special Counsel La Rond Baker helped argue the families’ case at the Supreme Court.

“These two were incredibly critical aspects of the inquest in order for them to feel like the inquiry was meaningful and thorough,” she said.

“I feel like in this day and age police officers in a lot of ways are going through a really hard time,” said attorney Anne Bremner, who has represented police at least 30 times in inquest proceedings.

She’s concerned that officers will be required to testify with just narrow Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.

“Then you may as well make it a full criminal proceeding, but that’s not what it is. It’s some kind of a hybrid now,”  Bremner said.

Baker believes the new inquest rules will promote justice.

“When you have the public eye of a family’s eye on an investigation of a use of deadly force, it allows for a much more thorough, um, investigation and increases accountability,” said Baker.

Families see a chance to stand up for their loved ones.

“And this way we at least be, are able to speak and to ask questions that we really want to know and to humanize Charleena,” said Katrina Johnson.

In a statement, County Executive Dow Constantine welcomed the Supreme Court ruling, saying that it “affirms fairness, accountability and transparency.”

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