MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A controversial law that creates a veil of secrecy around TBI investigations is making news again after the deadly Memphis police shooting of 19-year-old Darrius Stewart.
Three years ago, WREG started reporting about the law that keeps the agency from saying anything about a case, even after it’s closed.
The TBI says the clock is ticking on District Attorney General Amy Weirich.
The agency gave her the green light to release information about the scuffle that turned into a deadly shooting between Memphis Police Officer Connor Schilling shot and killed Stewart.
It’s an unprecedented move by the TBI.
“I have met with General Weirich and she has pledged at the appropriate time she will release pertinent information needed out of that file to the public,” said Mark Gwin, TBI Director.
State law actual prevents the TBI from releasing information into cases it investigates.
WREG highlighted the problem when a assistant district attorney was attacked in her own home last year and when an off duty cop shot an unarmed 15-year-old in 2012.
While WREG, pressed for answers nobody else did.
So, the question is “why now?”
“We were slow to respond. I think all the powers that be we were in shock. I think people were slow to respond. We’re determined not to let that happen and be the case this time,” said Keith Norman, NAACP Memphis Branch President.
What’s changed between those other cases and now?
Some say it’s the tone of the country.
Some say it’s because of deadly situations in Ferguson and Baltimore.
It’s the reason lawmakers are again promising to introduce legislation changing how TBI releases information.
“In the cases of police shootings maybe there’s something we need to look at especially if we’re going to have legislation to bring TBI in on the front end of these investigations,” said State Rep. Antonio Parkinson of Memphis.
State Representative Parkinson supports changing the law but doesn’t know how much support it will get in Nashville.
