"In a letter to the Times of London published Thursday, the IPCC said the newspaper's headline indicating that an officer had been cleared of shooting Duggan was incorrect and "irresponsible."
The IPCC said it is continuing to follow numerous leads as it investigates Duggan's death, including examining security camera footage, conducting forensic tests and talking to witnesses.
The commission acknowledged that "people want answers," but urged them "not to rush to judgment until they see and hear the evidence for themselves.""
CNN:
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PUBLISHER'S VIEW: This blog shares the horror so many feel about the violence that has erupted throughout London in the aftermath of the fatal police shooting of Mark Duggan. That said, it is still important to examine this fatal shooting - especially in light of what has been learned about the police cover-up - backed by former Home Office Medical Examiner Dr. Freddy Patel (since suspended) - of the fatal police shooting of Ian Tomlinson, the subject of numerous posts on this Blog. I will therefore be following the forensic investigations into the Duggan shooting - wherever they may lead.
HAROLD LEVY; PUBLISHER; THE CHARLES SMITH BLOG;
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"A funeral is taking place in London Friday for Mark Duggan, the father of four whose death after his cab was stopped by armed police led to protests that expanded into four days of rioting," the CNN story published earlier today begins, under the heading, "Mourners gather for funeral of London man whose death sparked riots."
"A horse-drawn cortege processed through the streets from his parents' home in the north London neighborhood of Tottenham to the church in nearby Wood Green where the ceremony was being held, with many mourners on hand," the story continues.
"Duggan, 29, died on August 4 from a gunshot to the chest after a police unit that deals with gun crime stopped the cab that was carrying him.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is still investigating the circumstances around his death and said Thursday that it "is far from reaching any conclusions."
A peaceful protest in Tottenham two days after his death turned violent and rioting spread to other parts of London and other English cities over the following days.
London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement that a senior officer had "met with the parents and family of Mark Duggan and discussed the policing arrangements" for the funeral.
"In line with the family's wishes, the policing will reflect the family's desire for a local, peaceful and dignified funeral," the statement said.
Questions remain unanswered about the circumstances of Duggan's death. Prime Minister David Cameron said last month that Duggan had been shot by police but the IPCC has yet to reach a formal conclusion.
In a letter to the Times of London published Thursday, the IPCC said the newspaper's headline indicating that an officer had been cleared of shooting Duggan was incorrect and "irresponsible."
The IPCC said it is continuing to follow numerous leads as it investigates Duggan's death, including examining security camera footage, conducting forensic tests and talking to witnesses.
The commission acknowledged that "people want answers," but urged them "not to rush to judgment until they see and hear the evidence for themselves."
A Metropolitan Police statement Thursday said: "The firearms officer involved in the shooting of Mark Duggan is not about to return to operational firearms duties."
Initial reports that Duggan shot at police were ruled out by ballistic tests, which found that a bullet that lodged in one officer's radio was of a type issued to police. The IPCC also said there had been no exchange of fire.
A handgun that was not police issue was found at the scene, the IPCC said, but there was no evidence it had been fired during the incident."
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The story can be found at:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/09/09/uk.riots.funeral/
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PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at:
http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith
Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at:
http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog; hlevy15@gmail.com
