Calls for special prosecutor mount in Aaron Bailey shooting

Seventeen African-American civic groups are calling for a special prosecutor to investigate the shooting death of Aaron Bailey.

Along with the family of Bailey, the groups, including the Ten Point Coalition and DONT SLEEP, "urge Prosecutor Terry Curry to step aside and turn the case over to a special prosecutor from an Indiana county with a large urban center."

On June 29, 45-year-old Bailey was shot to death by two Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers, Michael Dinnson and Carlton Howard, who are currently on administrative leave.

The groups say a special prosecutor "would restore trust in the outcome of a currently flawed process for prosecuting law enforcement officers involved in police action shootings."

A representative from Curry's office was not immediately available for comment. The prosecutor's office previously said that "all fatal police action shootings are reviewed in the same manner, making a determination from the known facts and applicable Indiana law."

From Jan. 1, 2011 through July 7, criminal charges have been prosecuted against 62 officers, which has resulted in 42 convictions and five cases still pending. Each of those cases is the result of investigations by the police agency of the offending officer, according to the prosecutor's office.

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Marshawn Wolley, a member of the African American Coalition of Indianapolis, has doubts about the effectiveness of local prosecutors investigating local police departments, adding the practice has produced "harmful relations" with the community.

"We think the process is deeply flawed," said Wolley, whose group is also seeking grand jury reforms. "In order to restore trust in the process, there needs to be some separation — we've advocated for multiagency police investigation and we're also for advocating for special prosecutors to be involved."

The joint statement said appointing a special prosecutor is consistent with former President Barack Obama’s 21st Century Policing Report.

In addition to calling for sweeping reforms in the way police shooting deaths are investigated, a letter signed by the civic groups addresses concerns regarding the Bailey investigation.

"Past and present history has shown us a combination of local prosecutors and grand juries result in nonindictments for cases like this one," the letter states.

► More:FBI opens civil rights investigation into police shooting of Aaron Bailey

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The list of groups that signed onto the letter:

100 Black Men of Indianapolis

Alpha Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Baptist Ministerial Alliance

Circle City (IN) Chapter of The Links Inc.

Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis

DONT SLEEP

Indiana Black Expo

Indiana Black Legislative Caucus

Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper

Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition

Indianapolis Urban League

Indy Black Chamber of Commerce Inc.

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., Alpha Alpha Omega Indianapolis Alumni Chapter

Jack and Jill of America Inc., Indianapolis Chapter

National Council of Negro Women Indianapolis Section

The Exchange at the Indianapolis Urban League

The Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

Call IndyStar reporter Fatima Hussein at (317) 444-6209. Follow her on Twitter: @fatimathefatima.