PROBE: NO CIVIL-RIGHTS WRONGS IN RIOT

No basis to bring charges of civil rights violations against Cape Girardeau police exist from last June's confrontation between police, two brothers and a crowd of 150 people, a source familiar with the investigation told the Southeast Missourian.

A report of findings from the U.S. Department of Justice was sent to some Cape Girardeau officials on Tuesday. The report, based on investigations concluded by the FBI in July, found no reason for criminal prosecution against any of the 18 law-enforcement officers from five agencies who responded to the melee in the 400 block of Good Hope Street on June 11.

A request for a federal investigation had been made by a sister of Greg and Kenneth Campbell alleging that racial slurs and other actions by police provoked the confrontation. Both Campbells were charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest in connection with the incident. The Campbells and six policemen were injured.

Eight other Cape Girardeau residents also were arrested and charged with rioting for allegedly throwing rocks, cinder blocks and other debris at police who were attempting to take the brothers into custody. Six of those have received sentences varying from a $50 fine and 15 weekends in jail to seven years in prison on charges stemming directly from the incident.

No explanation was given for the length of time it took the U.S. Justice Department to reach a decision after it received the FBI's investigative report on the incident last summer.

As of Thursday some city officials and members of the Campbells' families were not aware that a decision by the Justice Department had been reached.

Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III did not know that a decision against bringing civil rights violations had been received by the city. Spradling said he and City Council members should be informed about such reports when the city receives them.

The Rev. David Allen, president of the Cape Girardeau County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said he would like to see the results. "This impacts the public here very seriously," Allen said.

Both Allen and Spradling said they would like to see the city follow whatever procedures are proper in releasing information as soon as possible. "There is no reason not to make this public," Spradling said.