VIEWPOINT | Prosecutor vows thorough review of jailhouse death

I am conducting a complete review of the circumstances and actions that led to the death of Keaton Farris in the Island County Jail on April 8, 2015. The purpose of my review is to determine whether any crimes have been committed by any persons connected to his care. Many have been calling for me to quickly bring criminal charges against jail staff and others based only on the investigative report prepared by Detective Ed Wallace. To do so now would violate the principles of our criminal justice system, which require a careful and comprehensive review in a case such as this. Decisions to prosecute must be made based upon the admissible evidence and a thorough analysis of the law and procedures that govern our criminal courts.

June 26, 2015 6:52 pm

By GREG BANKS

I am conducting a complete review of the circumstances and actions that led to the death of Keaton Farris in the Island County Jail on April 8, 2015. The purpose of my review is to determine whether any crimes have been committed by any persons connected to his care.

Many have been calling for me to quickly bring criminal charges against jail staff and others based only on the investigative report prepared by Detective Ed Wallace. To do so now would violate the principles of our criminal justice system, which require a careful and comprehensive review in a case such as this. Decisions to prosecute must be made based upon the admissible evidence and a thorough analysis of the law and procedures that govern our criminal courts.

On Monday, June 22, 2015 I received Detective Ed Wallace’s full investigation into the death of Mr. Farris. In addition to Detective Wallace’s report that has been released to the public, the complete investigation includes many hundreds of pages of supporting documentation, as well as computer data and audio and video evidence. I may also require additional investigation by police, including interviews of other witnesses with information relevant to Mr. Farris’ death. I anticipate that my review will necessarily include the coming report from the independent jail consultant hired by the sheriff.

It is understandable that many people expect there to be criminal charges based on Detective Wallace’s report alone. Mr. Farris’ death was clearly preventable. However, a criminal charge requires more than a wrongful death due to the actions or omissions of others. While we may or may not file criminal charges, the decision to do so can only be made by examining all of the evidence against the heavy legal and procedural burdens that must be overcome in a criminal trial. At this time, it would be premature to make such a determination because I have not yet analyzed the complex legal issues, nor have I had an opportunity to review the voluminous evidence.

I commit to objectively and thoroughly reviewing this case for all potential criminal charges against all potential defendants. I will endeavor to do so free from the passion that is certainly justified by these tragic events. As an officer of the court and the legal representative of the people of Island County, that is how I must perform my duties.

I do not have a projected date by which my review will be completed.

 

Greg Banks is the Island County prosecutor.