Friends and former roommates of Paul Heenan, who was killed in a struggle with a Madison police officer Nov. 9, sent a letter to city and county executive and started a Change.org petition requesting certain officials recant their authority and appoint an impartial jury to investigate the case.
Amelia and Nathan Royko Maurer said in the letter they believe Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne’s “emotional ties” to the Madison Police Department compromised his objective judgment inquiring into whether or not MPD officer Stephen Heimsness is criminally liable for Heenan’s death. Ozanne has publicly acknowledged lifelong friendships with MPD officers.
Paul Heenan accidentally walked into his neighbor's house while intoxicated Nov. 9, and Heimsness’ response to the neighbor’s call about a burglar in their house led to the fatal shooting of Heenan, who was unarmed.
Ozanne stated in December Heimsness would not face criminal charges for his actions Nov. 9 and an MPD investigation into the case returned the verdict that Heimsness did not violate the department’s use of deadly force policies.
“Critical questions about Paul Heenan's death remain unanswered and appear to have been conveniently avoided by the investigation process,” the Maurer’s said in the letter to county and city officials.
