Inquest's end does not signal end of the Derek Williams case



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A day after a verdict was reached in the Derek Williams inquest, there's a lot going on in the case.

A representative from the Milwaukee Police Department's Internal Affairs Division, several FBI agents and a representative from the U.S. Attorney's office were in the gallery during the inquest.

The Milwaukee Police Department has said it is reviewing the case surrounding the death of Williams again. A federal investigation is also underway into possible civil rights violations or patterns in the MPD.

While the Williams family sees Thursday's recommendations for charges in the case as a step in the right direction, they are waiting for more.

"I had some contact with the U.S. Attorney before the inquest indicating they were close to being done with their investigation. And I thought they were probably going to see what happened with the inquest itself," said Jonathan Safran, the Williams family lawyer.

It's been a difficult process for the Williams family as well as the officers who don't know if they will be charged, sued, disciplined or exonerated.

"It is absolutely time to continue to support our officers who did all they could on that night," said Mike Crivello of the Milwaukee Police Association.

Crivello says he can't imagine charges will be filed.

Separate from state of federal charges is a civil suit that could be filed on behalf of Derek Williams' three young children. The civil suit could ask for a monetary settlement from the city of Milwaukee.

The Williams family has three to six years to file a civil claim, so they have time to see where all the criminal cases are going first.