Pratt to Ask Council for Ways of Reviewing Dubose Killing

With the San Diego County coroner declining to hold a public inquest into a recent police shooting, City Councilman Wes Pratt said Friday that he will ask his council colleagues next week to discuss alternatives for a public review of the controversial slaying.

Tommie Dubose was shot March 12 by a San Diego police officer after he allegedly struggled for another officer’s gun during a drug raid at his home in Southeast San Diego.

The coroner’s office said this week that it has already ruled on the cause of death and that an inquest would only determine the mode of death.

Pratt disagreed.

“I think the inquest is still an appropriate form we can use,” he said Friday. “Then the coroner, when he is completed, can refer his findings to the district attorney.”

Pratt said that when the council meets on Wednesday to discuss a series of recent police shootings, he will again raise the issue of finding an independent review panel that will agree to investigate controversial police cases.

The Dubose slaying caused an outcry in the minority community, with many black leaders alleging that police acted irresponsibly because Dubose was a law-abiding citizen who was opposed to drugs.

Police have said the Dubose home was a known drug house where an informant had purchased narcotics.

The county grand jury also declined to conduct an independent review of the case, leaving many minority community leaders concerned that questions surrounding the events of that night will never fully be resolved.