FBI agents are scheduled this week to interview the victim of
an alleged jail beating caught on video at the Justice Center last
September, according to the beaten man’s parents.
Forty-year-old Michael Evans is shown in a video, taken at the
Justice Center on SW 3rd, being allegedly assaulted by Multnomah County
Sheriff’s deputies, who were later joined by Portland Police Bureau
officers [“Summary Injustice,” News, July 19].
Evans wrote to the FBI in July, claiming that his civil rights were
violated during the beating, and that the District Attorney’s office
may have tried to cover up the assault by beefing up the charges
against him. In early August, the FBI refused to confirm or deny
whether it was investigating Evans’ case.
Now, Evans’ mother, Anita, says his civil attorneys, Benjamin Haile
and Leah Greenwald, will sit in on an interview with Evans conducted by
two FBI agents at their offices this Wednesday, August 29. Evans’
criminal attorney will also be present, she says.
“Michael’s attorneys told him the FBI has viewed the video and feels
like there are grounds for further investigation,” says Mrs. Evans, who
resides in Nevada.
“A complaint has been referred to our office and we are
investigating,” says FBI spokesman Mike Sweeney. “But we cannot comment
further at this time.”