Women suing Detroit 300, city over questioning at police station
Posted:
Updated:
By Ronnie Dahl, Fox 2 News -
Jessica and Stephanie Brown (Credit: MyFox Detroit)
DETROIT (MyFox Detroit) -
Nine-month-old Delric Miller was asleep on the couch in his family's home when he was killed in a drive-by shooting. Pressure was mounting in the community to find the person responsible.
Volunteers with the Detroit 300 mobilized. One volunteer close to the investigation told us they were getting their marching orders directly from the Detroit Police Department. We've agreed to conceal the person's identity.
"They brought us in, sat down in a room and gave us the file to look at, the active investigation file to look at -- pictures, addresses, names of the individuals that they (were) investigating."
We're told a top ranking officer gave volunteers a picture of a man they wanted Detroit 300 volunteers to question, a relative of a suspect. He said they were also told to put pressure on Jessica and Stephanie Brown.
"They wanted us to try to put pressure on them in the neighborhood, and they said that Stephanie Brown was the individual that had the van that possibly was used in the drive-by of Delric Miller."
On March ninth, Stephanie Brown and her 28-year-old daughter, Jessica, agreed to talk with volunteers. At their suggestion, the group met at the Detroit Police Department's Sixth Precinct. According to a court document, Sergeant Harold Ashford allowed them to meet in the garage only after he put in a call to the department's top homicide cop.
"Inspector Blackmon instructed the sergeant to give us whatever they needed at that time to get the job done, and by job I mean to question and gather information from Jessica and possibly Stephanie Brown."
"What we've learned as a result of the discovery is that someone from above in the police department green lit this whole interrogation at the Detroit Police Department," said Tracey M. Martin.
She is representing Jessica and Stephanie Brown in a civil case against the Detroit 300 and the City of Detroit. The women claim the Detroit 300 volunteers went too far when they questioned them at the police department.
"They experienced over two hours of berating and threats and harassment," said Martin.
"There was absolutely no kind of intimidation, absolutely none," said the volunteer.
Since this allegedly happened in the garage, there is no video recording of the incident. We've also been told there should actually be a recording of the phone conversation between the sergeant and the inspector, but that equipment was not working at the time.
Martin said her clients had absolutely nothing to do with Delric Miller's murder. No one has yet been charged in that case.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Police Department is not commenting due to the lawsuit.
Saturday, February 23 2013 11:33 PM EST2013-02-24 04:33:03 GMT
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
Saturday, February 23 2013 8:56 PM EST2013-02-24 01:56:59 GMT
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.n.
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.
Monday, February 18 2013 6:38 PM EST2013-02-18 23:38:52 GMT
A mother is pained beyond words. Her three-year-old daughter was killed in a crash Sunday on Detroit's west side less than a block from her house. The chaotic scene was visible from her front door.
A mother is pained beyond words. Her three-year-old daughter was killed in a crash Sunday on Detroit's west side less than a block from her house. The chaotic scene was visible from her front door.
Sunday, February 17 2013 11:16 PM EST2013-02-18 04:16:14 GMT
Thick smoke and orange flames could be seen shooting out of a long-abandoned home on Detroit's northwest side late Sunday. Detroit fire fighters worked in the freezing cold temperatures to contain the
A Detroit woman finds her house damaged after a suspected arsonist sets the vacant home next door on fire.
Saturday, February 16 2013 8:15 PM EST2013-02-17 01:15:29 GMT
One person is dead, several others are injured after a day filled with chain reaction crashes on Metro Detroit freeways. The deadly crash took place on I-96 westbound at Wixom Road.
One person is dead, several others are injured after a day filled with chain reaction crashes on Metro Detroit freeways. The deadly crash took place on I-96 westbound at Wixom Road. So far, no information has been released about the victim.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:38 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:39 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:39:42 GMT
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:07:10 GMT
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week.
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week and being treated and screened for diseases.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:56:23 GMT
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:57:50 GMT
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.