Pubdate: Sat, 28 Oct 2000
Source: Tennessean, The (TN)
Copyright: 2000 The Tennessean
Contact:  1100 Broadway, Nashville TN 37203
Fax: (615) 726-8928
Website: http://www.tennessean.com/
Author: Warren Duzak
Bookmark: MAP's link to Tennesse items:
http://www.mapinc.org/states/tn

GRAND JURY TO REVIEW DRUG RAID THAT WENT AWRY

The results of two investigations into a police drug raid that resulted in 
the death of a Lebanon retiree will be presented to a special grand jury 
likely to convene next week, Lebanon Police Chief Billy Weeks said.

The panel will review the results of internal probes by the Tennessee 
Bureau of Investigation and Lebanon police into the Oct. 4 incident.

Two Lebanon police officers shot and killed John Adams, 64, after they said 
he fired a shotgun at them.

Friends and relatives said Adams and his wife, Lorine, believed they were 
the victims of a home invasion when police kicked in their door about 10 p.m.

Police were supposed to raid the house next door. Although the search 
warrant had the right address, it contained a description of the Adams home.

"It's the only thing that can be done," Weeks said of the grand jury. "It 
has to be done."

The woman who was the target of the raid was arrested early Wednesday 
morning in a domestic dispute at a local motel. Shatena Cowan, 38, was 
charged with cocaine possession after officers searched her purse, Weeks said.

Additional information about the woman was unavailable yesterday.

Weeks fired one officer and put another on unpaid administrative leave. The 
two officers who entered the house and shot Adams were placed on paid 
administrative leave.

Lt. Steve Nokes, head of the department's narcotics unit, was fired for 
violating department policy and procedures, Weeks said.

Nokes, who has appealed his dismissal, participated in surveillance of the 
targeted home and was there during the raid, Weeks said.

After the shooting, Lebanon Mayor Don Fox announced plans for a police 
citizens review board.

An ad hoc coalition, including the NAACP, the American Civil Liberties 
Union and the League of United Latin-American Citizens, also was formed and 
challenged the process of creating the board and its members. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake