Louisville Mayor backs police chief's decision to Fire Officer who Killed Newby

 At the urging of civil-rights activists, Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson again endorsed Metro Police Chief Robert White's decision to fire former detective McKenzie Mattingly after a fatal shooting. "I support the chief's findings and the (internal) investigation that took place," Abramson said yesterday after meeting with about two dozen activists and the family of the dead man, Michael Newby. "I have said it every time I have been asked." The mayor said the Jefferson County attorney's office will represent the city and strongly argue that the police merit board reject Mattingly's request to be reinstated as a detective. White fired Mattingly in April after the chief said an internal investigation had found the officer did not face an "immediate threat" and had other options besides shooting Newby. The merit board is expected to consider hearing dates today, said attorney Mark Miller, who has represented Mattingly in administrative proceedings since the former detective fatally shot Newby, 19, during an undercover drug deal Jan.3. [more ]

•  The merit board decided yesterday to hear his appeal on Dec. 14 and 15, and Jan. 13, 14 and 18.  [more ]