Works In Progress - June 2003 - Olympia Copwatch letter to Thurston County Prosecutor Ed Holm

On April 4th 2003, he presented to you the one page evidence of a faulty investigation by TCSO (Thurston County Sheriffs Office) regarding the shooting of Kent DeBoer by officers Jordan and Brown of the Olympia Police Department.

He gave you his written critique of Phil Harju's actions. He showed you the diagram from the TCSO investigation which directly contradicts the statement given by Sgt. Hutchings. Sgt. Hutchings (the policeman in charge of the scene) stated that Kent threw boiling hot water at him through a small orifice tea kettle and a window screen. He pointed out the physical evidence gathered at the scene was thorough, even down to the smallest drop of blood. From the diagram, He showed you where the water should have been. Not only was there no water shown at the spot of the alleged deadly threat, but water on the floor was not listed as evidence.

Someone has to be charged. Either Sgt. Hutchings or the police officers who did the evidence work.

Omitted is the actual proof that the TASER did not work. The shooting officers claimed the TASER did not work. Therefore it must be proved the TASER did not work or you must charge Brown and Jordan with attempted murder 1st degree as per one of the prosecutors in your own office. The actual TASER report that he gave you, showed that the TASER worked. Since we know the TASER worked, the knife Kent DeBoer allegedly was holding in his hand, would have to fall where he was TASERED. As he showed you in the diagram, there was no knife within about 18-feet of Kent. It has come to our attention that Lt. Watkins at TCSO admitted to Pat DeBoer that the TASER in question was tested twice for functionality and that it functioned normally. Did TCSO actually submit the 2 TASER reports to your office as required? If not, why didn't Phil Harju force them to give him the evidence? Why didn't Phil Harju insist the crucial TASER evidence be included with the investigation? Copwatch knows that anything major that comes out of your office is cleared by you. Isn't it true that when an officer who deliberately puts himself in danger, the officer then cannot shoot someone and claim self-defense? That person then has the right to self-defense?

Without any proof whatsoever, you stated to him that the TASER in question did not work. Enclosed is a statement in the Olympian dated Oct. 14, 2002. Quoting Commander Bjornstad when he was tested with a TASER for 1.5 seconds " You simply can't continue to resist." Keep in mind that with this TASER model, the charge lasts for 5 seconds. Yet Brown and Jordan shot Kent 1 second or less after he was TASERED. Officer Maynard was trained to know it lasts for 5 seconds. He did not come forward with that information; as required. He gave you the company literature, which said that there is 100% incapacitation with this model of TASER. Do you have evidence to actually dispute that? If not, YOU must charge Brown and Jordan.

Not only that, all officers involved in the investigation at TCSO who did not give the required evidence including possibly Sheriff Edwards must be charged. Plus officer Maynard and Sgt. Hutchings of the Olympia police department.

The fastest way to get justice for Kent is a Grand Jury. Don't you agree?

Why did you throw the Copwatch person out of your office when he showed you the water evidence? You said you were insulted, how is that possible? He instructed you to get back with him after he gave the evidence.

We are the taxpayers, and you are the servant. From your disrespectful attitude, it is apparent that you don't belong in this elected office. Do everyone a favor, resign and take Phil Harju with you!

Be prepared to defend yourself to the press and please don't try to kill the messenger.