To the Editor:
On Feb. 3, 2015, Natasha McKenna, a mentally ill woman, was shot four times with a taser by a guard at the Fairfax County jail. She was removed from life support several days later. Incredibly, the investigation into her death drags on, ostensibly while the police await data to be extracted from the taser, a process that would seem more likely to take minutes than months.
McKenna, a 35-year-old African American, had been handcuffed before she was shot the first time by the jail guard, who then saw fit to shoot her three more times. Four 50,000-volt jolts were administered from the taser’s drive-stun mode. The identities of the six jail guards involved in the incident have not been made public, nor a video of the incident that wa recorded by jail personnel.
The question is: “Where is Raymond Morrogh?” — the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney. It is his duty and responsibility to investigate such egregious conduct by law enforcement officers and if criminal charges are applicable. He has not seen fit to investigate the McKenna death so far. How long must we wait for action on this incident? For morrogh to remain silent after five months is unacceptable and irresponsible. This would clearly indicate he is not performing his sworn duty and responsibility. This must be considered malfeasance or misconduct by a public official.
The citizens of fairfax County and the victim’s family deserve appropriate and prompt action by Commonwealth Attorney Morrogh.
Nicholas R. Beltrante
Executive Director
Citizens Coalition for Police Accountability, Inc.