Seek and support those that are Advocating for the People. .... DES MOINES — In the wake of high-profile, emotionally charged grand jury cases that garnered national attention, an Iowa activist is proposing grand jury reform. Key state lawmakers, however, met the idea with tepid responses. Bob Babcock of Davenport, a member of the progressive advocacy group Progressive Action for the Common Good, said he is working on legislation that would require an independent prosecutor be assigned to grand jury cases that involve allegations of use of excessive force by law enforcement officers. Grand juries determine whether there is sufficient evidence for an accused person to face charges. The grand jury process has gained national attention in recent months when grand juries in Ferguson, Mo., and New York City opted against charging police officers involved in the deaths of suspects. “This has been a big problem,” Babcock said. There are a lot of people that are upset, justifiably so, over the failures in our justice system. qctimes/news/local/iowa-lawmakers-balk-at-davenport-activist-s-call-for-grand/article_d63a4e5a-de2c-528d-ba52-a689db4d5d92.html?fb_action_ids=10205491858676600&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_ref=.VKRKMZdqR3w.like
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 01:23:30 +0000
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