Judge still won’t release Cox’s testimony in Greene case
A federal judge said today he will not change his mind and reconsider letting the Free Press have access to sealed testimony that state Attorney General Mike Cox gave in a deposition.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gerald Rosen repeated his reluctance to unseal any portions in the lawsuit filed by the children of slain exotic dancer Tamara Greene that could compromise the homicide investigation or adversely impact the privacy of people who are not part of the case.
Rosen wrote that releasing the testimony “would, quite properly, subject the court to legitimate criticism for allowing the broad civil discovery process to contribute to the already sensational and prurient atmosphere surrounding this case.”
The Free Press had filed a motion for reconsideration after Rosen ruled last month against the newspaper in its attempt to see Cox’s testimony.
Cox, who is running for governor, investigated a rumor that Greene danced at a party for former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in late 2002 at which Kilpatrick’s wife allegedly attacked her. Greene was killed in April 2003.
The investigation ended when Cox concluded there was no evidence that such a party took place. Greene’s family sued the city and Kilpatrick, claiming Detroit police weren’t properly investigating her death.
In contradiction to Cox, a Michigan State Police detective testified that his investigation into the rumored party was thwarted by stonewalling from Detroit police, pressure from Cox’s office to finish the probe and reluctant witnesses.
