December 8, 2004
Contact: Lynn
Kimbrough, 720-913-9025
GRAND JURY
CONCLUDES INVESTIGATION
INTO
OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING
Denver District
Attorney Bill Ritter, Jr. announced today that the Denver Grand
Jury investigating the officer-involved shooting death of Frank
Lobato that occurred in July 2004 had completed its
investigation.
In making the
announcement today, District Attorney Ritter acknowledged the
tragedy that resulted in the loss of life on July 11, 2004. He then released the Grand Jury report which explained
that the Grand Jury, after months of investigation, had not been
able to agree on an indictment.
The Grand Jury, in a
report it adopted on December 1, 2004 and which was released
today, stated in part:
“The Grand Jury
accepted this case for investigation on September 1, 2004. The
evidence was presented by the Denver District Attorney’s
Office. The Grand Jury subpoenaed witnesses. All witnesses
testified under oath. The witnesses were questioned by the
District Attorney’s personnel and by the Grand Jury. All
witnesses cooperated with the investigation and answered every
question asked of them. This included Officer Ranjan Ford, who
requested to voluntarily testify before the Grand Jury even
though it is his Constitutional right not to do so.”
“After the
conclusion of evidence, the Grand Jury was presented an
indictment to consider. After deliberating on the indictment, 9
or more members of the Grand Jury could not reach an agreement
at a probable cause level on any of the proposed counts, either
to issue a True Bill or No True Bill.”
The conclusion of
the Grand Jury investigation and the adoption of its report
effectively concludes the criminal investigation into Mr.
Lobato’s death.
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