"During this administrative leave, do not interfere in any way in the
pending investigation into this matter," the city warned.
"You will immediately surrender your police badge, police identification,
city issued firearm, and any other indicia of office to me."
Lubbock police were forced to release the man they jailed as the killer of
the SWAT officer, because evidence showed he could not have fired the
fatal shot.
Richard Robinson was released from jail on July 20th. Robinson, 47, had
been charged with capital murder in the July 13 shooting death of Cox
during a standoff between Robinson and the Lubbock Police Department.
Robinson, an unemployed automobile mechanic, barricaded himself inside his
home at 3229 87th St. after setting furniture and household goods on fire
in his front yard.
In the confrontation with police, the details of which have been confused
and contradictory, both the officer and homeowner were wounded. A second
policeman received minor injuries
Official statements early on downplayed the friendly fire possibility.
"That is so baseless and contrary to the evidence that it's an absolute
insult to Kevin Cox's memory," police spokesman Bill Morgan told local
reporters early this week.
"That's an absolute affront to the guys that have to live with the memory
of having Kevin slain in front of them."
Now, however, police have been forced to abandon that tactic, and
disturbing questions have arisen about what really happened, and the
police actions that followed.
Almost a week later Robinson's wife was arrested for "interfering with
police," as she tried to enter the family home. An intense search of the
premises for more than a week failed to find evidence which would
incriminate the suspect.
* * *
Copyright 2001 RG Griffing Publications