Kenosha---Michael Bell’s recent petition for a John Doe investigation into the 2004 fatal shooting of his son (pictured) by Kenosha police is still in the pipeline. He has also requested a special prosecutor be appointed in order to avoid a conflict of interest---or---the appearance of one. The son---21-year-old Michael Bell---was shot during a struggle with police following a traffic stop. The shooting was ruled justified by then Kenosha County DA Bob Jambois. The family won a $1.75 million-dollar settlement in 2010 after filing a lawsuit that accused the officers of excessive force and civil rights violations.
In late November---in accordance with state law---Deputy Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Boyle signed an order referring Bell’s petition to the Kenosha County DA---Mike Graveley. Graveley has until the end of February to either file a criminal complaint in the matter---or---provide the court with an explanation why none will be issued. Gravely previously declined to request a John Doe criminal investigation on the shooting, citing multiple reviews at both the state and federal levels.
In an e-mail to WGTD yesterday---Michael Bell said he still hopes to “salvage” the DA from blocking it again.” Bell’s years-long campaign to persuade authorities to reopen the investigation includes a series of recent emails to media outlets insinuating that Graveley improperly contacted members of the Kenosha City Council to lobby against passage of a resolution that would’ve requested an inquest.
Graveley claims that he did nothing wrong.