Probe of officer’s KKK docs might open review of 2009 death

The Associated Press

5 years ago

Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon ... — Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, in Muskegon on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. Anderson is on paid administrative leave after an apparent Ku Klux Klan document was seen framed on a wall of his home. (Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle via AP)

MUSKEGON, Mich. — A prosecutor says an internal investigation of a white police officer whose house had an apparent Ku Klux Klan document on display will help determine if there’ll be further review of an officer-involved 2009 fatal shooting of a black man.

The Muskegon Police Department opened an internal investigation of Officer Charles Anderson after a potential home buyer, who is black, reported seeing the Klan document framed at Anderson’s home.

Anderson was placed on paid administrative leave.

MLive.com reports Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson says the investigation’s results will drive reconsideration of the 2009 case.

Anderson was cleared of fatally shooting Julius Johnson following a traffic stop. Johnson had fought with Anderson, who was beaten. Anderson said he feared for his life.

Anderson has declined comment. His wife has said her husband isn’t a Klan member.