Here is the legal brief the Iowa Freedom of Information Council filed in its quest to unseal documents and evidence filed in the wrongful-death lawsuit brought by the family of Autumn Steele against the City of Burlington and police officer Jesse Hill.
Steele was accidentally shot to death by Hill in January 2015 when he slipped while trying to shoot Steele’s dog.
Thus far, government officials have refused to make public numerous documents about the case. Only a 12-second video clip and a statement clearing Hill of any criminal actions have been released.
The Steele family and city recently reached agreement on a $2 million settlement of the lawsuit.
The Iowa FOI Council’s attorney, Michael Giudicessi of Des Moines, was the author of the legal brief. Giudicessi argued the council’s request to unseal the lawsuit documents and evidence during a 90-minute hearing on Wednesday before U.S. District Judge James Gritzner in Davenport.
[79-1] 2018-06-12 Brief in Support of Motion to InterveneUnseal