Correspondence from Steven L. Winter to Robert J. McGuire

Correspondence
November 12, 1979

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Correspondence from Steven L. Winter to Robert J. McGuire preview

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Impact area
- Criminal Justice
Topic
- Police Accountability
LDF Attorneys
Cooperating Attorneys
Organization
- LDF
Matter
- Garner v. Memphis Police Department
Case
- Garner v. Memphis Police Department
U.S. state
- Tennessee
Collection
- Case Files
Taxonomy
Identifier
- ca1470e3-26a8-f011-bbd3-000d3a53d084

Cite this item

Case Files, Garner Hardbacks. Correspondence from Steven L. Winter to Robert J. McGuire, 1979. ca1470e3-26a8-f011-bbd3-000d3a53d084. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/d972eec3-d1ae-40bb-9527-ac2e93ef94cc/correspondence-from-steven-l-winter-to-robert-j-mcguire. Accessed June 04, 2026.

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egal efenseF N A A C P L E G A L D E F E N S E A N D E D U C A T I O N A L F U N D , I N C.
10 C o l u m b u s Ci rcl e, N e w Y o r k , N .Y . 10019 • ( 212) 586-8397

N November 12, 1979

Robert J. McGuire
CommissionerNew York Police Department
1 Police Plaza
New York, New York 10038
Dear Commissioner McGuire:
As you may be aware, the Legal Defense Fund has for many
years been concerned with the legal aspects of police/
minority community relations. As part of that concern,
we have focused on the issue of police use of deadly
force- Over the last decade, we have brought several cases
in Memphis regarding police use of deadly force. Under
Tennessee law, the police are authorized to use deadly
force in any case involving a fleeing felon. In the past,
Memphis police officers have used deadly force in cases in
which we believe it was totally inappropriate.
A recent case has opened the way for a new challenge to the
deadly force policies of the Memphis Police Department.
Currently, we have two cases before the federal district
court in Memphis that involve this issue. The first will
go to trial on January 2, 1980. In each of these cases,
we are seeking to show that the regulations, policies,
and training related to the use of deadly force by Memphis
police officers fall short of those adopted by other major
police departments and police professionals. To do so, we
will need the help of expert testimony. We are desirous of
retaining Chief William R. Bracey as such an expert. He
has indicated that he might be interested in assisting us
in that manner. His involvement in the case would consist
of approximately two to three days' work; of course, the
Legal Defense Fund would cover his expenses.
Both cases involve the shooting deaths of juveniles. In

( 'o i i l i ih ii l io i is a i r i lcd u r l ih l i ' for II.S. i i iron ic /<i\ pill i>o.s<'S

The NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATIONAL FUND is not part of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People although it
was founded by it and shares its commitment to equal rights. LDF has had for over 20 years a separate Board, program, staff, office and budget.

Roberg McGuire
December 12, 1979
Page Two

one, the victim was involved in an auto theft. In the
other, the victim had burglarized an occupied residence.
Neither of the victims were armed, nor did they commit
any acts of violence toward third persons. I am enclosing
some materials which more fully explicate the facts of these cases.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,
' : • . h h .

Steven L. Winter Assistant-CounselSLW:mm
Enclosures
cc: William R. Bracey

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Correspondence from Steven L. Winter to Robert J. McGuire

Impact area

Topic

LDF Attorneys

Cooperating Attorneys

Organization

Matter

Case

U.S. state

Collection

Taxonomy

Identifier

Cite this item

Copyright notice

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