Mayor John Hickenlooper met with family members of a man who died two months ago in the new city jail and later vowed a fair investigation at a joint press conference.
“We will do everything we can to get all the facts and arrive at a fair resolution,” Hickenlooper said while standing with several family members of Marvin Booker, 56, who died on July 9. “I am not in any way accepting guilt or implying guilt.”
Booker stopped breathing in the early morning hours while he was being restrained by five deputies, who held him in a carotid choke hold and Tazed him in the newly opened Van Cise-Simonet Detention Facility.
He was restrained while retrieving his shoes, which disobeyed a sergeant’s orders.
Hickenlooper said there will be consequences if the investigation determines wrongdoing.
He said he has not seen the video because District Attorney Mitch Morrissey said officials cannot legally release the video while the criminal investigation is ongoing.
“I will assure you I will see the video when it is appropriate,” Hickenlooper said.
Rev. Spencer Booker, Marvin Booker’s brother, said the family only wishes to privately memorialize their brother’s last breaths on earth.
“What is there to hide?” he asked.
Darold W. Killmer, attorney for the Booker family, said there is no law that prohibits the city from releasing the videotape. Colorado law, however, does give law enforcement agencies broad authority to withhold information they deem investigative from the public.
A large number of family members traveled from as far away as Philadelphia to mark the two-month anniversary of Marvin Booker’s death.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
