Independent Counsel Appointed In Fizer Death Investigation
An update regarding the Hannah Fizer investigation and the DDCC investigative report was published by Phillip T. Sawyer, Pettis County Prosecutor, on Tuesday:
In the late afternoon of July 30, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) supplied all reports currently within their control and the completion of their investigation into the fatal shooting of Hannah Fizer to my office.
Since that time I have evaluated those reports and my obligations to this community. Pettis County and families of those involved deserve the confidence to know that this matter was handled independently and competently by an individual with no ties to the jurisdiction that I serve.
In the interest of protecting the ethics and integrity of the investigation I have requested the court appoint independent counsel to review this matter for a determination on the use of force and prosecution if necessary based on that determination.
This afternoon, Stephen Sokoloff, General Counsel for the Missouri Office of Prosecution Services was appointed to this matter and will hereafter act as the Prosecuting Attorney to its conclusion. Upon receiving this appointment my office promptly transferred the investigation and all of its contents.
The timeline for a determination or further comment on this matter is unclear as the investigation contains many parts and a complete review likely will take some time.