So They KNOW Who Killed Tamara?

[Meddle]

Last Updated: September 14. 2010 1:00AM
City asks to seal motion to dismiss stripper suit
Lawyers say public files would compromise murder investigation
Robert Snell / The Detroit News

Detroit --The city wants to keep secret its motion to dismiss a civil lawsuit filed by the family of an exotic dancer, arguing that doing otherwise would identify her killer and jeopardize the safety of an informant.

The city is expected on Wednesday to ask Chief U.S. District Judge Gerald E. Rosen to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the family of Tamara "Strawberry" Greene, who allegedly performed at a rumored 2002 party at the Manoogian Mansion. On Monday, city attorneys asked for that motion to be sealed.

"To demonstrate the lack of causal nexus between Greene's death and the rumored Manoogian party, the city must detail the factual evidence which identifies her killer, including that originating with an informant," city lawyer John Schapka wrote in a federal court filing Monday.

The motion argued that making the motion public would "materially compromise any ongoing investigation into Greene's death, and jeopardize the life [[of) an informant."

But Monday afternoon, the city filed amended paperwork that deleted any reference to an informant and killer. Instead, the motion referred to "evidence concerning her death."

Detroit Police Sgt. Eren Stephens would not comment on whether the department has identified Greene's killer, saying it's "an ongoing investigation."

Greene's family is suing ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and other officials, claiming the Detroit police investigation into Greene's 2003 drive-by shooting death was quashed.

Schapka could not be reached for comment. An attorney for the family, Kirkland Garey, declined comment but filed a motion Monday asking the judge to deny the motion.

The city doesn't need to prove who killed Greene to get the suit dismissed, but it could help, said Peter Henning, a law professor at Wayne State University.

"If the killing was so far removed [[from the party) and if there is a reason for not investigating it further, it undermines her family's case," Henning said.

One suspect in Greene's killing has surfaced. Retired Detroit police homicide investigator Mike Carlisle testified in an unrelated case he has strong but circumstantial evidence that Darrett King shot Greene on April 30, 2003. King, who admitted knowing and arguing with Greene and her companion when she was shot, was sentenced last year to 19-30 years for unrelated crimes.

Rosen has ordered some of the filings in the suit sealed, but wrote in a May order that from now on, "the parties will have to meet a heightened standard of scrutiny and stronger presumption of public access if they wish to file discovery materials under seal."

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100...#ixzz0zV4Oy3In

[Meddle]

Last Updated: September 13. 2010 8:57PM
City seeks more secrecy in stripper suit
Robert Snell / The Detroit News

Detroit --The City of Detroit wants to file a motion under seal to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the family of a slain exotic dancer who allegedly danced at rumored Manoogian Mansion party, arguing that making them public could identify her killer and an informant.

A city attorney filed a request today in U.S. District Court asking for the motion to be sealed in the case involving Tamara "Strawberry" Greene. The city is expected to file a motion to dismiss the case Wednesday.

"To demonstrate the lack of causal nexus between Greene's death and the rumored Manoogian party, the City must detail the factual evidence which identifies her killer, including that originating with an informant," city lawyer John Schapka wrote in a court filing today.

The motion continues: "If filed unsealed, the city's motion will publicly disclose an extensive collection of previously sealed matters, materially compromise any ongoing investigation into Greene's death, and jeopardize the life [[of) an informant."

Detroit Police Sgt. Eren Stephens would not elaborate on whether the department has identified Greene's killer.

"It's an ongoing investigation, so I can't comment on that," she said.

Schapka also asked for permission to exceed the 20-page limit for filing a dismissal motion.

Greene's family is suing ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and other city officials in federal court, claiming the Detroit Police investigation into Greene's drive-by killing in April 2003 was quashed.

Schapka could not be reached for comment and an attorney for the family, Kirkland Garey, declined comment.

One possible suspect in Greene's killing has already surfaced.

A retired Detroit Police homicide detective testified during an unrelated trial that he believes Darrett King shot Greene on April 30, 2003.

Former homicide investigator Mike Carlisle testified that evidence against King is strong, but circumstantial. Carlisle was unable to persuade Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy to charge King with Greene's death.

King has admitted knowing and arguing with Greene and Eric Mitchell, Greene's companion when she was shot. King's wife owned a car that matched the one Greene's killer used. King is left handed, just like Greene's killer. And another felon was prepared to testify that King had bragged about killing Greene, Carlisle said.

Last year, King was sentenced to 19-30 years for unrelated crimes.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gerald E. Rosen has ordered some court filings in the Greene suit sealed to protect the investigation into her death and the privacy rights of others.

The Detroit News, Free Press and other media outlets objected to the secrecy, and Rosen acknowledged in May "this has not been an easy task to navigate these waters."

In a May ruling, Rosen wrote that from now on "the parties will have to meet a heightened standard of scrutiny and stronger presumption of public access if they wish to file discovery materials under seal."

Rosen wrote that "the record relied upon in making these rulings, including the parties' motions, briefs and supporting exhibits, will be made available to the public and the media to the greatest extent possible. This is what the law requires, and the Court fully intents to follow this letter to the law in managing this litigation."

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100...#ixzz0zV5KYUSC



Maybe I missed that before somewhere.

[Ravine]

In any case, Meddle, seeing as how I have a special interest in this case, I appreciate your posting this Whatever We Should Call It bit of info.
Gosh, we would hate to think that dispelling any notion of a sleazy party at the Manoog is, in any way, more important to the City of Detroit than is contributing to the solving of the murder and achieving at least partial justice for the family.
I guess maybe it is more important for the City of Detroit to reach "closure" as re: the party rumors than for Greene's family to reach it as re: their loved one being shot in the street like a dog?

[ct_alum]

A lot of people are missing the point - The suit is about the fact that DPD shut down/didn't investigate her death. Proving that there was/wasn't a party and that she did/didn't dance there has nothing to do with the fact that DPD did in fact try to make the case go away, for whatever reason. Read some of the depositions - There is ample evidence that DPD did everything possible to stop any real investigation - Again, for whatever reason. Maybe she pissed off one of Kwame's drug dealing buddies, who knows? But the point is that it doesn't matter why she was killed or who did it. All that matters is that DPD didn't investigate the case properly/at all. If Yatooma can keep the focus on that, CoD better get out the checkbook.

[gazhekwe]

Ct_alum is right. It is really hard to keep anything Kwame on point, though. He still thinks he was jailed for having an affair and lying about it. If Carlita forgave him, why should he go to jail? LOL!

[eno]

Scott Lewis reported on TV2 about who murdered Tamara Greene over two years ago.

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news...in_Greene_Case

[Meddle]

There is ample evidence that DPD did everything possible to stop any real investigation - Again, for whatever reason.

And yet it seems like they're ***STILL*** trying to cover up something.

[Gannon]

Well, yanno...someone near and dear to this investigation IS still trying to take Jenny the Grin's seat in Lansing.

[Downtown Lady]

Well, yanno...someone near and dear to this investigation IS still trying to take Jenny the Grin's seat in Lansing.

Bernero or Snyder?

[Ravine]

File that one under "Gannon implying that he has access to inside info to which nobody else is privy."
Yanno.

[Downtown Lady]

I think it was a reference to Mike Cox...maybe Gannon forgot that he is no longer a candidate?

[Gannon]

No, file it under "Gannon using language to insure the Attorney General doesn't find a handle to grab him with".

It isn't insider knowledge that Cox is freaked about this albatross.

At least it is obvious to me.

[Gannon]

Shows how much I pay attention to politics.

Is THAT why he lashed out at the Oakland County medicinal hemp folks?!


What a piece of work he is...

[detroitbred]

Mike Cox is in this mess up to stupid smirk on his face. I hope he is losing sleep and looking over his shoulder. POS!

[hamtown mike]

This reeks of patsy-ism. Drop the button on a guy who's already doing 30-smart. Watch the bank accounts of Darrett "Little D" King's family and friends. Bank accounts? Ha! Never mind.

Sorry to doubt the word of a retired police officer, but I have a hard time swallowing the bait when any Detroit employee says "You have to trust me on this."

[spartacus]

A lot of people are missing the point - The suit is about the fact that DPD shut down/didn't investigate her death. Proving that there was/wasn't a party and that she did/didn't dance there has nothing to do with the fact that DPD did in fact try to make the case go away, for whatever reason. Read some of the depositions - There is ample evidence that DPD did everything possible to stop any real investigation - Again, for whatever reason. Maybe she pissed off one of Kwame's drug dealing buddies, who knows? But the point is that it doesn't matter why she was killed or who did it. All that matters is that DPD didn't investigate the case properly/at all. If Yatooma can keep the focus on that, CoD better get out the checkbook.

This is not true. If the police solve the crime the lawsuit is over. The theory behind the lawsuit is that the police's failure to solve the crime deprived the victims family of the ability to sue the killer for compensation in a civil suit. If the killer is found, then the family is not harmed.

You are right in that Yatooma does not need to prove the party happened. He would love to prove it, however, because it would allow him to come up with all sorts of theories about the motive behind the reluctance to investigate [[if in fact there really was a reluctance to investigate).

This lawsuit is silly for a number of reasons:

1) Who is to say that the police would have solved the crime if they had made their "normal" effort towards solving it. Have you seen the statistics on solved murders in the City of Detroit?

2) With all of the intense media attention on this case [[over YEARS), I would venture to say that the police have probably spent FAR more resources on this case than any similar case. Also, all of the noteriety surrounding the case would presumably make the job of the investigator's that much easier [[think tips).

3) What are the odds that someone murdering a stripper in the middle of the night in the City of Detroit would be collectible? In other words, if you weren't going to collect from a civil suit anyway, then where is the damage?

4) Where did this idea that the Police owe a duty to families to find killers so that the family can sue come from?

[Downtown Lady]

The theory behind the lawsuit is that the police's failure to solve the crime deprived the victims family of the ability to sue the killer for compensation in a civil suit.

I was not aware that this was the theory behind the lawsuit. Can you provide a link to document that?

Yatooma...would love to prove [the party happened] because it would allow him to come up with all sorts of theories about the motive behind the reluctance to investigate [[if in fact there really was a reluctance to investigate).

Hahaha -- you're kidding about that bolded part, right?

1) Who is to say that the police would have solved the crime if they had made their "normal" effort towards solving it.

IRRELEVANT

2) With all of the intense media attention on this case [[over YEARS), I would venture to say that the police have probably spent FAR more resources on this case than any similar case.

highly doubtful

Also, all of the noteriety surrounding the case would presumably make the job of the investigator's that much easier [[think tips).

which were subsequently ignored

3) What are the odds that someone murdering a stripper in the middle of the night in the City of Detroit would be collectible?

Again, I may be wrong but please provide documentation that "the theory behind the lawsuit is that the police's failure to solve the crime deprived the victims family of the ability to sue the killer for compensation".

In other words, if you weren't going to collect from a civil suit anyway, then where is the damage?

Where is the damage??? THE DAMAGE IS THAT THEIR MOTHER WAS KILLED! Did you consider that the family just wanted the police to do their job, to bring the killer to justice? IF the family wanted to sue the killer for financial compensation, whether they are able to ever collect a penny or not is COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT.

4) Where did this idea that the Police owe a duty to families to find killers so that the family can sue come from?

It's an inherent part of the job that police have a duty to try to find killers. Isn't that a given? Now...so the family can sue the killer for financial compensation? Please document that that is the theory behind the lawsuit. And even if that is the theory behind the lawsuit, it is certainly the family's right to sue if they so choose.

[Claude G.]

If the city knows who did it, then why don't they make an arrest and charge that person with the crime to get them off the hook on the lawsuit.

[ct_alum]

If the city knows who did it, then why don't they make an arrest and charge that person with the crime to get them off the hook on the lawsuit.

Knowing it and proving it are two different things. Kim Worthy laughed "Detective" Carlyle out of her office with his circumstantial b.s. Thank heavens she has some integrity - Can you imagine where the city would be if Mike Duggan was still Prosecutor?

As an aside, I have absolutely no doubt that DPD knows who killed her and they didn't have to look far.........

[bartock]

This is not true. If the police solve the crime the lawsuit is over. The theory behind the lawsuit is that the police's failure to solve the crime deprived the victims family of the ability to sue the killer for compensation in a civil suit. If the killer is found, then the family is not harmed

This is wrong. The family is suing for obstruction, so if the police solve the crime the lawsuit is far from over, and maybe even stronger. You do not lose the right to sue for false imprisonment as soon as you are no longer imprisoned. This is not about depriving the family the ability to sue the killer for compensation, Yatooma is more in the realm of civil rights and such.

[thewitz]

If the city knows who did it, why did Carlita and Bernard try to get out of their depositions? And why were they going to plead the fifth because of possible self-incrimination?

[Danny]

WHO KILLED TAMARA GREEN? Could it be KING KWAME disguise as ski mask face robber or a some one of his thug knights like Robert Ferguson.

[One Shot]

I'm really waiting to see how this all plays out. Look at the past few years and the events. Who would've thought those people would actually go down. I won't be surprised when more big names come out. Many are already highly suspect.

[Hypestyles]

I want this to be over with in some form by the end of the year.. it's gone beyond the Kilpatrick administration and now Bing's administration has to deal with this lawsuit. I hope that the final truth does really come out, but in the process the city government is likely to take a continued pounding..

[kathy2trips]

If I were a family member or other concerned party, I'd take it to the Michigan AG. She deserves justice.