Families of those killed by police will now get free legal representation

Families of police shooting victims in King County will have a new voice during inquests.

The County Council agreed unanimously Monday to let these families have legal representation at these proceedings.

Before the vote, council members heard emotional testimony from Sonia Joseph, the mother of Giovonn Joseph-McDade. Joseph-McDade was fatally shot by a Kent police officer last June.

“I’m grateful and hopeful that moving forward families don’t have to be at an inquest alone like I was,” she said. “And hopefully Giovonn’s case will be that last one without an attorney representing them.”

Inquests are fact-finding proceedings that determine what led up to a police involved fatality. They do not establish liability.

Family members have said the process is overwhelming and unsatisfying.

Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles sponsored the ordinance with Rod Dembowski and Dave Upthegrove. Kohl-Welles noted that the prosecutor’s office, the office of public defense and the community police commission support the measure.

She says it will level the playing field.

“Law enforcement officers involved in fatal shootings have that legal counsel without cost and now the family members will have that too,” Kohl-Welles said.

King County Executive Dow Constantine also supported the measure. This month, Constantine stopped all inquests so that a committee could examine the inquest process.

Among those on hold are the inquests into the shooting of Charleena Lyles by Seattle police and the killing of Tommy Le by a sheriff’s deputy.

That report is expected next month.