Aurora – Mediation between the city of Aurora and the family of a man killed by police two years ago in an Aurora motel failed to bring a resolution, and the matter will continue to federal court.
Both parties Thursday addressed the collapse of mediation over the December 2003 death of Jamaal Bonner, 20.
The city says it intends to conduct a comprehensive internal review of tactics and procedures, using an outside expert as a consultant.
Bonner’s relatives said they will continue to take the fight to federal court, saying that the city never intended to settle the matter through mediation.
The family wasn’t pleased with the city’s financial offer or changes it intends to make.
“They made their appearance and made offers, but once again, they don’t want anything to change,” said Bobby Bonner, Jamaal’s father. “We want to see change, and they’re not willing to make policy changes.”
He wouldn’t talk about specifics, saying a court order forbids discussion of the details of the mediation.
“Saturday, it will be two years,” he said. “Since then, they haven’t changed anything. They are still stomach-punching us, dragging it on. We want to see change, so no one family has to endure what we’re enduring.”
Bonner contends his son was killed after being subdued in a motel room during a prostitution sting. He alleges Bonner was hit with an electric shock from a Taser and shot three times in the back while he was on the ground.
“How can that be justifiable?” he asked and wondered why one of the officers, William Woods, was never penalized.
A grand jury in October 2004 cleared the officer of any wrongdoing in the shooting. More recently, the City Council decided against adding the case into its use-of-force review board, which is forming and will look at only one past case – the use of a Taser on a man at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant.
Nevertheless, the city maintains its internal review will clear up whether there were any errors in standards and practices.
Assistant City Attorney Peter Morales said the city tried in good faith to reach an understanding with the Bonners.
“I can’t comment on anything except it was unsuccessful and we tried hard,” he said.
However, the Bonners’ attorney, Darold Killmer, called the mediation attempt a ruse.
“The city tricked us into coming to the table, and then they pulled the rug out from under us,” he said.
Staff writer Jeremy Meyer can be reached at 303-820-1175 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
