Kenosha Fire & Police Comm. reviews Bell case

KENOSHA -- Eight years after Michael Bell Jr. was killed by a police officer, partial documents from an independent investigation into Bell's death are put in front of Kenosha's Fire and Police Commission.

During the past two years, Michael Bell has been funding an independent investigation into the 2004 death of his son. Bell Jr. was shot in the head by a Kenosha police officer during the course of a traffic stop.

On Tuesday, December 18th, the Kenosha Fire and Police Commission met for the first time since receiving a portion of Bell's investigation. However, before deciding what to do with it, public comments showed not everyone is in support of reopening the case.

"Please do not make that motion out of respect and support of the men and women who fight and protect this community every day," said Kenosha Co. Supervisor Mark Molinaro.

"His family has a long history of law enforcement and I can sympathize with him. But it's clear that he has not looked at one shred of evidence regarding our case," said Michael Bell.

At the end of the meeting, commissioners chose not to act one way or the other.

"The commission is still reviewing the documentation and we would certainly cooperate with any FBI investigation or any other investigation that comes along looking into this issue," said Helen Schumacher, of the Kenosha Fire and Police Commission.

"The police chief says that he wants, he would welcome an investigation," said Bell. "Our family's urging an investigation so therefore I think it prudent for the Police and Fire Commission to say, let's ask the FBI to come down here and look at this."

The commission's president said more time was needed to review everything Bell gave them. While Bell proposed scheduling a meeting to do so, nothing was set up on Tuesday. Bell says he understands it will take the commission some time.

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