PRESS RELEASE
June 19, 1997
Reference: DR # 97-2727 (Possible Battery-related incident of May 14, 1997)
On May 14, 1997, the Moscow Police Department received a report that there
had been an incident involving a possible aggravated battery against Mathew
G. Kidderman by two unknown male assailants on Deakin Street in Moscow,
Idaho. This report resulted in the investigation of the incident and
interviews with the people involved and independent witnesses. Additionally,
complaints made regarding the conduct of Officer Leonard Sombret were
investigated by the Moscow Police Department pursuant to internal procedures.
Circumstances reported in the Moscow/Pullman Daily News and discussion on
the Internet were not consistent with the facts gathered in the Moscow
Police Department investigation. Comparison of statements given by those
involved and by the independent witnesses resulted in a significantly
different understanding of the events than was originally reported.
Randy Fife, Moscow City Attorney, stated that he had met with each of the
four men directly involved in the incident and that all of them agreed that
filing criminal charges was not an appropriate resolution of the incident.
Our internal investigation into Officer Sombret's actions in this case
resulted in a finding that he did not violate any City of Moscow or Police
Department policies or procedures.
As a result of the investigation of this incident conducted by the Moscow
Police Department and the City Attorney's office, it is the decision of the
Moscow City Attorney's office not to file criminal charges against anyone
involved in the incident.
Both the criminal investigation regarding the May 14, 1997 incident and the
internal investigation involving the conduct of Officer Sombret are closed.
DANIEL L. WEAVER
Chief of Police