|
COLUMBIA - The mentor of one of the Hickman High School students involved in a fight there last month said he called the FBI to get involved in the matter.
Ray Magruder said he called the FBI, but the FBI said it has no one working on the case.
A student caught the fight on a phone camera and posted it on YouTube. Critics say school resource officer Mark Brotemarkle used too much force removing Diamond Thrower and another student from the fight.
Thrower's mentor, Ray Magruder, said he spoke with an FBI agent Thursday who told him Brotemarkle's conduct was uncalled for. Magruder said Thrower's sister tried to file a complaint against Brotemarkle at the Columbia Police Department, but police wouldn't accept it.
According to Magruder, the FBI is considering whether this is a violation of civil rights. Magruder also said the FBI is investigating a corruption charge against the Columbia Police Department. Magruder said this stems from Police Chief Tom Dresner allowing Brotemarkle back into Hickman while still investigating the incident.
"We've actually asked to meet with the police chief and he's refused to meet with us as public citizens, therefore we felt the need to contact the FBI to help out with an investigation and to better understand what we can do differently to help rectify the situation," said Magruder.
KOMU 8 left a message with Interim Chief Tom Dresner, but he did not return the call Friday. KOMU 8 also contacted the Kansas City office of the FBI. An agent there said the FBI is not actively involved in any investigation involving Hickman and the Columbia Police Department.
Reported by: Cate Kelly
Edited by: Kristin Arena
Published: Friday, November 21, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Last Updated: Friday, November 21, 2008 at 7:18 PM |
Share on Newsvine
