Family of exotic dancer to view file today

Detroit — Nearly four years after a federal lawsuit was filed alleging Detroit police mishandled the murder investigation of an exotic dancer, lawyers for the family of Tamara “Strawberry” Greene for the first time today are to view Greene’s homicide file.

The viewing is to take place under strict secrecy provisions ordered by Chief U.S. District Judge Gerald E. Rosen. Detroit police have said that premature release of the contents of the murder file could jeopardize an ongoing investigation.

“This review will take place in the court’s chambers, and no copying of any portion of the file will be permitted,” Rosen said in a written order. “Neither the file nor any information it contains shall be disclosed to any persons not participating in the review … absent an express order of the court authorizing such disclosure.”

Greene, linked to a long rumored but never proven stripper party at the mayor’s Manoogian Mansion in the fall of 2002, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Detroit on April 30, 2003. Her family alleges former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and other top city and police officials obstructed the murder investigation for political reasons.

The defendants deny the allegations.

The police submitted the homicide file to the court under seal in April 2008. Until recently, lawyers have been haggling over the terms under which Norman Yatooma, the lawyer for Greene’s family since late 2007, would be able to view it and other confidential records in the case.

The case could go to trial next spring.