Judge: Independent Report On Fatal Pasadena OIS Should Be Released

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A judge said Thursday an independent report on the fatal officer-involved shooting of 19-year-old Kendrec McDade should be made public – at least in part.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant said he will allow the release of a redacted copy of the report, which was presented by the Office of Independent Review Group and presents an account of the shooting and presents recommendations for changes in department policy.

Chalfant had granted a temporary restraining order that prevented the basic facts of the shooting from being made public at the request of the Pasadena Police Officers' Association. In Thursday's ruling, he said some of the report should be released.

"Contrary to plaintiff's position, the fact that the OIR contains privileged information does not convert the entire document to protected status," Chalfant wrote.

The Pasadena NAACP, ACLU board member Kris Ockershauser and members of the media objected to the union's bid to keep the report sealed.

Chalfant said the Pasadena Police Officers' Association can ask for more redactions by Tuesday. He said he would compare the edited and unedited versions, then set a status conference.

McDade was fatally shot by Pasadena police officers Matthew Griffin and Jeffrey Newlen in March 2012. An internal probe by the department and the District Attorney's Office cleared both officers.

McDade's parent agreed to settle their federal wrongful death lawsuit against the city for $1 million.

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