Why Paul Franco’s Family is Calling for an Outside Agency to Investigate his Death

Background on the Shooting

On the Fourth of July, Paul Franco, 51, was killed in the parking lot of his apartment complex in uptown Phoenix. The woman who shot him is claiming self-defense after an argument with several pro-Palestinian protestors turned deadly. However, Franco’s family is now calling for Phoenix police to hand the investigation over to another agency, as they believe it’s a conflict of interest for the department to investigate someone for a crime when that person is actively suing them in a separate case.

The Conflict of Interest

The woman who is claiming self-defense is one of over a dozen people suing Phoenix police for falsely arresting them during a Black Lives Matter protest in October 2020. That case is ongoing and hasn’t gone to trial. According to Franco’s family, this civil case is factoring into the police department’s decision to refer charges to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. They argue that there is a conflict of interest because the police are already involved in the lawsuit, which could influence the outcome of the investigation.

Why Another Agency Should Investigate the Shooting

Franco’s family wants another agency in Arizona, potentially the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, to be the primary investigating authority analyzing whether the woman claiming self-defense is charged with a crime. According to Benjamin Taylor, an Arizona Civil Rights Attorney, it’s not uncommon for law enforcement agencies to investigate people who may be currently suing them, or may do so in the future. However, given the conflict of interest, Franco’s family believes that another agency should lead the investigation to ensure impartiality.

Police Response

Phoenix police responded to the family’s concerns by stating that the department is committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the events of July 4, which may include review from an outside police agency. Once completed, the investigation will be turned over to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review and charging decisions.

The Investigation Continues

Last week, Phoenix PD stated that the investigation into Franco’s death continues. They are reviewing surveillance video, cell-phone videos, and are interviewing witnesses to determine if the woman’s self-defense claim is valid. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen if another agency will become involved.

Conclusion

Given the conflict of interest, it’s understandable why Franco’s family is calling for another agency to investigate the shooting. While it’s not uncommon for law enforcement agencies to investigate people who may be suing them, impartiality is essential in any investigation. The investigation into Franco’s death is ongoing, and it will be interesting to see if another agency becomes involved.

Long-Tail Keywords

Paul Franco shooting
Phoenix police conflict of interest
Paul Franco family lawsuit
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office investigation
Phoenix police impartiality

Originally Post From https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/family-of-phoenix-man-shot-and-killed-calls-for-phoenix-police-to-hand-the-case-to-another-agency/75-3f5bb3a8-1270-433b-b4d0-662da768eb5d

Family wants Phoenix police to give up case on man shot and killed