By Javier Erik Olvera And Brian Crecente, Rocky Mountain News
October 18, 2003

It didn't take long for word to spread, pulling friends, neighbors and strangers to the house where Paul Childs died and his family still lives.

Support has flooded in since Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter announced Thursday that police officer James Turney will not be charged for shooting the developmentally disabled 15-year-old July 5 when he wouldn't drop a knife as he approached the officer.

"The community has been great," said Michael Thompson, the boy's uncle. Thompson has become the family spokesman since the death shook the city, prompting a march and a series of community forums.

On Friday, as the family reeled from the news, Thompson took Ritter what he believes is a fourth slug that investigators were unable to find inside the home during an initial investigation.

Thompson said his sister, Helen Childs, Paul Childs' mother, was cleaning her Thrill Place home last week when she noticed the flattened slug lying on the ground behind her stereo.

"If Helen can look and find a bullet in the house that was part of this shooting, how could it have been a thorough investigation? They obviously missed something," Thompson said.

Thompson gave Ritter the slug in his office during a brief meeting, and Ritter later said investigators knew it was still missing.

One of the four slugs fired had been found in Paul Child's body and two in the wall, but crime scene technicians hadn't found the final slug, Ritter said.

Investigators returned to the house Aug. 19, but were not allowed inside to complete their investigation, Ritter said.

The slug will be tested to see if it matches those fired from Turney's gun, but Ritter said he expects it will and that the slug's discovery will have no impact on his decision.

"This changes absolutely nothing," he said. "It is not uncommon that not every slug is recovered. This would complete the puzzle absolutely."

Family attorney Timothy Rastello said the family's legal team will soon review all the information related to the case and hopes to file a civil rights lawsuit in federal court against Turney by the end of the year.

Additionally, the legal team - including attorney Johnnie

Cochran, who gained fame when he represented O.J. Simpson during his murder trial - will consider a similar suit against the police department and the city.

In the wake of the boy's death, several community activists and black leaders urged a long list of policy and procedural changes at the Denver Police Department, specifically in how officers are trained.

The Greater Metro Ministerial Alliance - a group of black church leaders - also wants Turney permanently off the streets, said the Rev. Reginald Holmes, organization president.

In August, the group announced a plan to open eight community centers across the city to reach out to other families like the Childses.

They hoped to open the centers late last month, but are now pushing back their plans until the entire $500,000 that's needed can be drummed up.

The alliance has only a fraction of the funds necessary, Holmes said.

He's now hoping to have enough money by January to open four centers, which would be housed in churches in neighborhoods with large black populations.

Thompson said the family has been "shocked" by the community's support, which on Monday will include a short march in downtown.

March organizer Alvertis Simmons said the march will start at 4:30 p.m. Monday in front of Denver's City and County Building on Bannock Street and head to the police department on Cherokee Street.

Simmons is also asking anyone who works for the city not to go to work on Monday as a nonviolent way to protest Ritter's decision.

"I want them to see our displeasure," said Simmons, a veteran of Denver's Million Man March movement and a longtime activist. "I know some people say, 'I can't afford to lose work for one day,' " he said. "Well, you can't afford to lose your life, either."

Copyright 2003, Rocky Mountain News. All Rights Reserved.