CLEVELAND, April 6, 2006 - Mayor Frank G. Jackson and Law Director Robert Triozzi announced today that the City of Cleveland is appointing retired Judge C. Ellen Connally as Special Prosecutor to focus on resolving four "use of force" cases that resulted in fatalities.

"Everyone involved in these cases deserve closure," said Mayor Jackson."The families of the victims, the police officers and our community as a whole will begin to move on and heal the breach created by these incidents when a just resolution has been made. Judge Connally has the experience and the civic commitment to help us reach resolution."

Director Triozzi asked Judge Connally to serve the City of Cleveland in the capacity of Special Prosecutor after the City's Chief Prosecutor resigned. Time permitting, Judge Connally will also review the outstanding use of force cases currently in the Prosecutor's office that did not result in death.

"In order to keep our commitment to the City of Cleveland that we will make determinations on use of deadly force cases in a manner that is efficient, thorough and just, we asked Judge Connally to assist us," said Director Triozzi. "With Judge Connally's help, we will move forward, and provide the City of Cleveland with impartial and just decisions."

Judge Connally retired in 2004 after serving 24 years on the Cleveland Municipal Court. She is currently serving as Foreperson of the Grand Jury which concludes April 30, 2006. Judge Connally is a member of the Bar of the State of Ohio and is admitted to the United State District Court of Appeals - Sixth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. She received her bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University and her juris doctorate from Cleveland State University. Judge Connally also received a Masters from Cleveland State University and is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Akron.

This appointment is one step of many taken by Mayor Jackson to heal the breach in the community and restore confidence in and morale among Cleveland's police officers since taking office in January, including working with the Chief of Police to strengthen the policies and procedures regarding the use of deadly and excessive force and to improve officer training. Mayor Jackson also worked with Director Triozzi, Public Safety Director Martin Flask and the Division of Police to fully empower the Civilian Police Review Board.