3 January 201419 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Cover-up claim over police chief Ian Learmonth’s role in lorry ‘killing’ probe

Lee Balkwell originally by: Daily Mail
published: 21 December 2013

Police chiefs have been accused of a cover-up as one of Britain’s most senior officers prepares to retire while secretly being investigated over an alleged conflict of interest.

Ian Learmonth, chief constable of Kent, was reported to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in July over a review of the police inquiry into the death of Lee Balkwell, who was found dead in a cement mixer lorry in 2002.

Mr Learmonth faces criticism for letting his officers in Kent investigate how Essex Police handled the case because he himself was working for the Essex force at the time of the original inquiry.

19 December 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Hillsborough inquest verdicts quashed by High Court

originally by: BBC News
published: 19 December 2012

The High Court has quashed the original inquest verdicts returned on 96 Liverpool football fans who died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. The Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge ordered fresh inquests following an application by the Attorney General.

Trevor Hicks of the Hillsborough Family Support Group said it was “a huge step for the families”.

The home secretary has also announced a new police inquiry into the disaster. Theresa May said the new inquiry would re-examine what happened in April 1989.

11 September 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Too many questions in handcuff suicide, say attorney

by: The Final Call
published: 4 September 2012

The family of a man shot while handcuffed behind his back continues to refute police claims that he committed suicide.

As the Jonesboro Police Department in Arkansas released more information, more questions arose about who shot 21-year-old Chavis Carter, said his family and friends. Unfortunately, all of the facts may remain a mystery until a civil or criminal trial, family attorney Benjamin Irwin said.

Police released a dash cam video, of what they called a reenactment of how the alleged suicide could have occurred, and said they interviewed Mr. Carter’s girlfriend. According to police, the girlfriend said the deceased called her saying he had a gun and was afraid.