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PRISCILLA SLATER

Harper Woods leaders pass resolution to address racism, injustice

HARPER WOODS, Mich. – Following the police killing of Black Minneapolis man George Floyd in May, the city of Harper Woods has been working to address racial injustice in the community. Over the summer, separate controversies led to the resignation of the Harper Woods mayor, and the firing of the city’s deputy police chief. Harper Woods city leaders recently said that they have approved a resolution in hopes of taking positive steps in the right direction. Harper Woods has faced its share of racial and social issues -- particularly the recent death of a woman who died while in police custody in June. “It was right after Mr. Floyd’s death, which affected all of us tremendously," said Valerie Kindle, Harper Woods Mayor.

Officials say woman who died at Harper Woods jail died of ‘natural causes’

HARPER WOODS, Mich. – A Wayne County spokesperson said that a woman who died at the Harper Woods jail died of natural causes. The Wayne County Medical Examiner said Priscilla Slater died of cardiac dysrhythmia and the manner of her death was natural, involving no foul play. Harper Woods asked the Michigan State Police to launch an investigation. READ: Harper Woods director of public safety addresses death of 38-year-old woman inside holding cellSlater was found unresponsive inside a Harper Woods holding cell. John Gillooly, an attorney retained by Harper Woods, said the city investigated and found the police report had been doctored.

Harper Woods officer, deputy chief fired for trying to ‘conceal,’ ‘manipulate’ evidence in woman’s death in custody

HARPER WOODS, Mich. – Investigation into the death of a woman who died while in Harper Woods police custody has led to the firing of a deputy chief and a patrol officer, city officials said. City officials said members of the police department tried to conceal and manipulate evidence in the in custody death investigation of Priscilla Slater. Deputy Chief John Vorgitch and patrol officer Michael Pineau have been fired, according to authorities. READ: Harper Woods director of public safety addresses death of 38-year-old woman inside holding cellSlater was found unresponsive inside a Harper Woods holding cell on June 10. John Gillooly, an attorney retained by Harper Woods, said the city investigated and found the police report had been doctored.

Harper Woods Mayor Kenneth Poynter turns in letter of resignation amid controversy

HARPER WOODS, Mich. – The mayor of Harper Woods, Kenneth Poynter, has turned in a letter of resignation. Protests have been taking place in Harper Woods over the death of 37-year-old Priscilla Slater. Slater was found unresponsive inside a holding cell on June 10 in Harper Woods. READ: Protesters demand answers in Priscilla Slater’s death at Harper Woods mayor’s homeThe city manager had asked Poynter to resign after the mayor came under criticism for making controversial comments. Key witness says he saw Priscilla Slater during shooting before she died in Harper Woods cellREAD: Harper Woods personnel on administrative leave after woman dies in police custody

Key witness says he saw Priscilla Slater during shooting before she died in Harper Woods cell

HARPER WOODS, Mich. A key witness in the case of Priscilla Slaters death described her involvement in a shooting incident before the 38-year-old was found dead in a Harper Woods holding cell. The man told the Local 4 Defenders he saw why Harper Woods police had contact with Slater at the Parkcrest Motel last week. He started shooting -- Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom,' the witness said. The witness told Local 4 both were arrested without incident. But 11 and a half hours later, Slater was found unresponsive in a holding cell at the Harper Woods Department of Public Safety.

Harper Woods director of public safety addresses death of 38-year-old woman inside holding cell

HARPER WOODS, Mich. – The Harper Woods director of public safety spoke to the Local 4 Defenders about the death of Priscilla Slater, a 38-year-old woman who was found unresponsive last week in a holding cell. READ: Protest held after 38-year-old woman dies in holding cell in Harper WoodsSince Slater’s death, Michigan State Police officials have stepped in to investigate what happened at the Harper Woods Police Department. Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley spoke with Vincent Smith, the Harper Woods director of public safety, about the case. “I think the key questions is: Why did you suspend these six employees?” Shawn asked. Smith said Slater’s in-custody death upset him so much he called her family personally to notify them.

Protesters demand answers in Priscilla Slaters death at Harper Woods mayors home

HARPER WOODS, Mich. Michigan State Police have launched an investigation into the death of 38-year-old Priscilla Slater. Slater was found unresponsive in a holding cell Wednesday after being arrested in connection with a shooting incident on Tuesday. READ: 38-year-old woman dies in holding cell in Harper Woods; cause unknownPolice said two supervisors and four civilian aids in the Harper Woods Police Department are on administrative leave as MSP launches its investigation. Protesters said the six employees being placed on leave wasnt good enough and that Slaters family deserves answers. Harper Woods officials said the cause of Slaters death wont be known until the autopsy report is completed.

City personnel on administrative leave after woman dies in police custody in Harper Woods

HARPER WOODS, Mich. Director of Public Safety for Harper Woods Vincent Smith announced Sunday that six public safety personnel have been placed on administrative leave following the mysterious death of Priscilla Slater last week. READ: 38-year-old woman dies in holding cell in Harper Woods; cause unknownAccording to officials medics immediately attempted to revive Slater but were unsuccessful. Harper Woods officials say that four civilian aides and two supervisors in the public safety department have been placed on administrative leave as of Sunday afternoon. Protesters gathered around Harper Woods City Hall on Friday to demand answers regarding Slaters death. MORE: Protest held after 38-year-old woman dies in holding cell in Harper WoodsProtesters gathered again on Sunday to demand answers.

Protest held after 38-year-old woman dies in holding cell in Harper Woods

HARPER WOODS, Mich. – The family of Priscilla Slater, 38, was joined on Friday night by activists and elected officials to demand answers into how she died. Slater was found unresponsive inside a holding cell on Wednesday in Harper Woods. READ: 38-year-old woman dies in holding cell in Harper Woods; cause unknownSlater was arrested on Tuesday after Harper Woods police said the man she was with fired 19 shots at the Parkcrest Motel. READ: Detroit man charged after shots fired at Parkcrest Inn in Harper WoodsThe protest began at 6 p.m. At one point, some people including Slater’s family confronted Harper Woods Mayor Ken Poynter. Then, moments later, protesters saw the mayor’s wife tearing up a sign.