The Denver Post
Denver cop who shot teen testifies at appeal hearing
Thursday, October 21, 2004 -
For the first time since he fatally shot a 15-year-old boy during a confrontation last year, Denver police officer James Turney spoke publicly Wednesday.
Turney testified at a civil service hearing to appeal his 10-month suspension for alleged procedural mistakes in the shooting death of Paul Childs on July 5, 2003, and for allegedly making a telephone threat against his former mother-in-law. Under questioning by Assistant City Attorney Karla Pierce, Turney denied under oath that he threatened his former mother-in-law, Rozella Orme of Shenandoah, Iowa. He said he was upset by a letter Orme wrote that accused him of being a bad father to his 10-year-old son, who lives part-time with Orme and her husband. Turney said he was "angry" and "upset" after reading the letter in his patrol car while parked on the side of a street. "I informed her that the letters had to stop," Turney said, "and if I found out she was putting lies or garbage in my son's head, I would take her fat (expletives) to court." Turney, 30, spoke calmly and answered questions for about 90 minutes. His testimony directly contradicted emotional statements made by Orme on Tuesday. She said Turney threatened that he would "put a bullet in the middle of (her) head." Turney made the phone call while on duty July 4, one day before the Childs shooting. "Do you think that's appropriate conduct for an officer whose job is to serve and protect?" Pierce asked pointedly. "No," Turney replied. Turney said he was surprised Orme complained about the call. He said he used "improper language, but I didn't consider it a threat." Turney has not yet been asked directly about the Childs shooting, which sparked community protests and led to major changes in the Police Department's use-of-force policy. Turney fatally shot Childs, who was developmentally disabled, at Childs' north Park Hill home after family members called police for help because the teen was wielding a knife. The officer is expected to testify again today, with questions likely centering on his actions leading up to the shooting. Staff writer Sean Kelly can be reached at 303-820-1858 or skelly@denverpost.com . More online: Previous Denver Post coverage of the James Turney/Paul Childs story. www.denverpost.com/police |