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Report: Some Donors Reconsidering $1.2M Dorner Reward

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — Several groups who put up reward money for the "capture and conviction" of ex-Los Angeles police officer and accused murderer Christopher Dorner are now reportedly reconsidering their offer.

Leading the effort is the Peace Officers Research Association, which placed its pledge on hold pending additional information.

The union's president, Ron Cottingham, claims as many as 25 other groups are also now reassessing their offer.

During the manhunt, Los Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa coordinated a $1 million reward from more than 30 agencies or corporations for the "capture and conviction" of Dorner. The Los Angeles City Council and Board of Supervisors also each put up a separate $100,000 reward with its own protocol and requirements.

Dorner died in a police shootout and fire in a Big Bear cabin on Feb. 25.

Several parties have claimed they provided the key tip that ultimately led authorities to Dorner, including a couple who was held hostage in their cabin and a man whose truck was carjacked by the fugitive.

"I believe it was my call that directly lead to the end of the largest manhunt in California history," carjacking victim Rick Heltebrake said. "If they don't pay that out, it kind of justifies some of the things Christopher Dorner was complaining about regarding the city and the LAPD."

Officials are waiting on a handful of law enforcement agencies to determine who was responsible for Dorner's capture, said Vicky Curry, a spokeswoman for the mayor's office.

Los Angeles police Deputy Chief Kirk Albanese, who is heading up the effort to identify those who helped lead authorities to Dorner, said law enforcement officers from all the agencies involved in the hunt will get together to read reports, listen to tapes and come to a consensus.

Details of the main $1-milllion reward offer were never written down and so it's not specified as to whether Dorner must be "convicted," as officials said when it was announced, Curry said. While the mayor's office is coordinating the reward, determining the recipient could be left up to the agencies doling out the cash.

Officials hope to make a decision by mid-April.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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