Linn supervisor urges special prosecutor in traffic-stop shooting

CEDAR RAPIDS — Newly elected Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker, speaking Wednesday at a benefit for the family of a motorist injured when a police officer shot him, called for a special prosecutor to take over the case.

In doing so, Walker asked Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden to step aside from plans announced earlier this month to have the attorney's office present the case to a grand jury to see if charges are warranted.

Jerime 'Danky' Mitchell, 38, of Cedar Rapids was shot during a Nov. 1 traffic stop by Cedar Rapids Officer Lucas Jones on Coe Road NE. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation reviewed the shooting and has turned over its report to Vander Sanden. The findings have not been publicly disclosed.

'In the interest of impartiality, of transparency and the spirt of justice, I strongly urge Mr. Vander Sanden to recuse himself from this particular case and instead, request that a special prosecutor present the fact of this case to the grand jury,' Walker said in his speech to about 150 people gathered for the benefit at the African-American Museum.

In other police-involved shootings in Linn County, Vander Sanden — after receiving the DCI's review — has ruled whether the use of force was justified. This time, however, he announced his office would take the case to a grand jury.

Vander Sanden, who also is elected, said at the time he had 'concluded it would be in the public interest' to do so.

The panel's seven members are selected randomly, and at least five of them would have to agree to issue charges.

Walker said Vander Sanden should remove himself due to 'his necessary relationship with law enforcement officials and his prior connection to a case of the use of lethal force that involved the same police officer, who stands accused in this case.'

Officer Jones was involved in the fatal shooting of Jonathan Gossman on Oct. 20, 2015, which Vander Sanden determined was justified. In this case, Jones remains on paid leave in accordance with policy.

Paula Roby, an attorney representing the Mitchell family, said she and the family support Walker's call.

'We are deeply touched by Mr. Walker's speech and applaud his efforts to ensure a fair and impartial process,' Roby said.

Walker said he spoke at the benefit as a citizen and not as a supervisor or as a member of the Safe, Equitable and Thriving Communities Task Force that seeks to address poverty and gun violence.

'I feel as though I have an obligation to the African American community, but also, as I mentioned in my remarks, to people interested in justice,' Walker said.

Mitchell and his wife, Bracken Mitchell, appeared at the event via a live video chat.

'I want to thank everyone for coming out and supporting me and loving me,' Mitchell said over the live video, prompting cheers. 'I will be back.'

Mitchell had been recovering at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, according to family members. A relative has said he is paralyzed from the neck down.

Relatives, friends and allies have held vigils and protests for Mitchell over the past month. Friends spoke at the Nov. 15 Cedar Rapids City Council meeting and presented a list of demands that included a call to release any police or surveillance video.

Rahiem Martin, a friend of Mitchell's who organized Wednesday's event, said it was all about healing.

'It is just to show solidarity of the community,' said Martin, who said he's been friends with Mitchell since the pair were toddlers. 'This wasn't to make any type of political statement or anything like that at all. This was specifically just to bring the community together and heal.'

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