The Denver Post
Timeline
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 -
Key dates in the case July 5, 2003: Paul Childs, a mentally disabled 15-year-old, is fatally shot at his North Park Hill home by Denver police officer James Turney after the boy refused to drop a knife. July 8, 2003: Turney is suspended on an unrelated incident; influential African-American ministers demand that he be taken off the streets. July 9, 2003: Celebrity lawyer Johnnie Cochran announces he will represent the Childs family. July 10, 2003: Anonymous fliers calling for retribution against racist cops are circulated in Denver. July 11, 2003: Police records are released showing that police were called to the Childs home 47 times in the previous four years. July 12, 2003: About 500 people attend Childs' funeral in Denver. July 18, 2003: Iowa prosecutors issue a warrant for Turney after he threatened in a July 4 phone call to shoot his mother-in-law. Aug. 21, 2003: Autopsy shows Childs was shot four times. Oct. 16, 2003: Turney is cleared by the Denver district attorney of criminal wrongdoing in the shooting. Dec. 30, 2003: Childs family notifies the city of Denver of intent to sue for more than $5 million. March 4, 2004: Discipline Review Board recommends a letter of reprimand be put in Turney's file as punishment for the shooting. April 1, 2004: Police Chief Gerry Whitman recommends a 20-day suspension for Turney. April 15, 2004: Manager of Safety Al LaCabe announces that Turney will be suspended for 10 months without pay and will be relegated to desk duty upon his return. April 16, 2004: About 500 Denver police officers hold a rally in support of Turney. April 19, 2004: More than 450 Denver police officers go to city hall to call on Mayor John Hickenlooper to explain the discipline and provide more training for police officers. The mayor wasn't able to be there. April 23, 2004: Turney files an appeal with the Civil Service Commission to overturn his discipline. May 12, 2004: The panel formed to recommend changes to Denver police procedures and citizen oversight ends its month-long deliberations. May 25, 2004: The city announces a $1.325 million settlement with the Childs family. It is the largest settlement for a police shooting in city history. Compiled by Jan Torpy of The Denver Post's research library. |