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A Hoover police officer working in the mall security Thanksgiving night killed Bradford in a shootout that left two injured. The Hoover police first identified Bradford, 21, as the suspect, and then retracted and declared that he was wielding a weapon – only to retract that statement as well.
Witnesses testified that Bradford, armed with a licensed weapon, was assisting clients of the mall when the officer shot him in the back, said the lawyer at the mall. Ben Crump family.
In a letter to Jefferson District Attorney, Danny Carr, Attorney General Steve Marshall spoke of Carr's relationship with police officer Hoover, who was not publicly identified, and with protesters who decried the Bradford's shooting, claiming that these links justify Carr's challenge.
"Although I have no reason to believe that you are truly biased or compromised, I agree that other loyal persons may challenge your neutrality on the basis of the information you provided in the letter and in our private conversations, "said the lawyer. General wrote.
The National Association of District Attorneys' Prosecution Standards state that the conflict justifies disqualification during the possible prosecution of the police officer, as well as the prosecution of Erron Brown, who was charged during the shooting. initial, Marshall said.
Local Attorney Recognized Conflicts
According to Marshall's letter, Carr conceded that the alleged police officer who killed Bradford was an accuser or witness in approximately 20 cases handled by his office.
"In these cases, an impartial defendant (or a family member) might wonder whether you and / or your attorneys tend to favor the protection of the officer from prosecution, as his or her testimony may important role in his case, "Marshall wrote.
"On another side," he continued, "you acknowledge personal relationships with some of the (protesters) who ask the officer who shot Mr. Bradford to be prosecuted, which could lead an impartial person to question your bias in favor of an indictment, "said the letter.
His family said that Bradford was not at home. shopping center with one of the victims or the suspect. He went there with his cousin and two friends. Possessing a license to carry a weapon, he took out his weapon after the start of the shooting. He helped people escape danger when he was killed, said the family.
The police subsequently issued another statement claiming that Bradford had "brandished" a weapon, but that his remarks were also overturned, claiming that Bradford "had a weapon in his hand" when the police had it. beaten down.
The officer who shot Bradford is on paid administrative leave while waiting for a state investigation. The official autopsy report of Bradford Jr. has not been made public.
"My son was murdered"
The family stated that his independent medical examination had shown that Bradford had been shot three times in the back. The bullets hit him under his ear, at the base of his neck and just above his buttocks, Crump told CNN, reiterating his demand that all camera and surveillance videos be made public. .
"For some reason, the police shot him while he was fleeing like everyone else, and it's inexplicable for the parents and the family of EJ," he declared.
CNN repeatedly asked the Hoover police to Clarify his statements about Bradford Jr.'s involvement in the Thanksgiving evening altercation. It does not appear that clarity is imminent, as Hoover police and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, which is leading the investigation, said last week that they would not release any evidence in the near future.
"While maintaining our commitment to be fully transparent during this process, we must respect the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's request to cooperate fully and continue to trust the judicial process." We want the whole truth Without hindrance or delay, "Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said Monday in a statement.
Protests have erupted sporadically since the shooting, including protesters clashing with police at a shopping center and shutting down part of Highway 459.
Tina Burnside, CNN , contributed to the writing of this article.
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