From: "Hicks, Christopher" <chicks@da.washoecounty.us>
To: "lonnielfeemster@netscape.net" <lonnielfeemster@netscape.net>,
"barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us" <barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us>,
"patriciagallimore1@gmail.com" <patriciagallimore1@gmail.com>,
"donaldgallimore1@gmail.com" <donaldgallimore1@gmail.com>
CC: "ottokelly31@hotmail.com" <ottokelly31@hotmail.com>,
"ndupree.transform@gmail.com" <ndupree.transform@gmail.com>,
"cesarminera@hotmail.com" <cesarminera@hotmail.com>, Nathan DuPree
<nathan@360blueprint.org>, "Bays, Michelle" <MBays@da.washoecounty.us>,
"Hahn, Bruce" <BHahn@da.washoecounty.us>, "Lee, Matthew"
<mlee@da.washoecounty.us>, Jason Soto <sotoj@reno.gov>, Peter Krall
<pkrall@cityofsparks.us>, "Balaam, Darin" <DBalaam@washoecounty.us>
Subject: FW: RENO RIOT- NAACP calls for calm & shooting transparency
Date: Sun, 31 May 2020 23:33:07 +0000
Dear Reno-Sparks NAACP Board Members,
As District Attorney, I take my responsibility to all our Washoe County citizens seriously. This is without regard to any of the unique characteristics that make us diverse. I have a duty to look to justice in each case or situation and what that means for victims and the community. For all our safety, this critical job cannot be done alone. My office depends on many partners to help and this is not limited to law enforcement or government agencies, it includes community leaders from across Washoe County and the NAACP. If events like last nights are to be avoided, there needs to be communication and trust on all sides and in both directions.
When I took office, I immediately took steps to try to build that trust. Members of my office and I regularly meet with leaders representing the diversity of our community in order to hear their comments and concerns. I personally very much enjoy the relationships created.  Additionally, we actively participate in panel-discussions and symposiums dealing with racial issues in our criminal justice system, just to name a few. Nevertheless, we always recognize that we can do better.
Regarding one of the most volatile issues, an Officer Involved Shooting (OIS), I implemented a first of its kind public reporting of OIS cases in Washoe County. This new process has been applauded across the County and in Nevada. In fact, it has received many favorable mentions by Dr. Norris Dupree and many other community leaders on several occasions at events focused on improving community conversations. Additionally, it was highlighted by the United States Commission on Civil Rights as an example of best practices regarding OIS cases.
The OIS reports released come after an extensive review of the case. A typical OIS case is comprised of hundreds, if not thousands, of pages of reports, dozens of hours of video, multiple pieces of evidence collected and any subsequent forensic testing of that evidence. The review takes several weeks to complete and involve some of my most experienced prosecutors. The reports are usually over 30 pages long and include witness accounts, photographs, evidence collected, the controlling law on the issue, and my analysis. Every report completed is available for public consumption on our website (<https://www.washoecounty.us/da/newsroom/reports.php>https://www.washoecounty.us/da/newsroom/reports.php).
At 4 am this morning, President Lonnie Feemster of the Reno-Sparks NAACP issued a public statement containing very pointed concerns directed at my office about a recent OIS case (See email below). This was the first contact from the NAACP about an OIS case or any concern about an event in the community involving my office in many months. The one and only conversation on the specific OIS mentioned in the release was January of this year, in which a member of my executive team who regularly attends the group’s meetings and speaks frequently with its Board spoke to President Feemster about the case and our review process for every OIS. The conversation covered our longstanding policy to release a detailed public report on every OIS occurring in Washoe County, and to work directly with the families of the deceased on offering victim advocacy services, notifications and inviting them to meet directly with us before the reports are publicly released.
In fact, the last time the NAACP requested to meet on an OIS case was in 2017, when releasing an OIS report on a 2016 incident. In the genuine interest of building trust and in an unprecedented act at that time, I met with members of the NAACP, the ACLU, faith-based leaders, and family members of the African-American who tragically had been shot. I discussed the review process, the case, its evidence, and my conclusion. I then showed the videos of the OIS to the family members as requested and answered all their questions.
Mr. Feemster’s released statement criticizes my office for not yet completing its review of the January 2020 OIS death of Micah Lee, despite the fact it has been less than a month since my office received the entire case. Even without considering the immense challenges we are currently dealing with due to COVID-19, to expect such a timeline is unreasonable and, more importantly, implying that the timeline equates to a lack of transparency is unfair and extremely irresponsible in these volatile times.
My office has invited the NAACP and other community groups to meet with us, debate with us and maintain open and positive lines of communication for years. Our motivation is genuine, and our only expectation is for this to work both ways. It is disheartening to not have had the opportunity to speak with this group prior to their issuance of a statement and I am concerned that this may incite new violence directed at my office. Moreover, the fact that the released statement contained a misrepresentation of statements made by one of my Chief Deputy District Attorney’s provided by a civil attorney the Lee family has retained was also very disappointing.
The NAACP board has me and my Chief Investigator’s contact information and we remain simply a phone call away. While I know we will not always agree, I have an unwavering commitment to hearing your side and working with you. I sincerely hope it is mutual.
Sincerely,
Chris