Until January 19th, 2001, the local arm of the investigation into the shooting was being conducted Windham County State's Attorney Dan Davis. Davis had conflicts of interest in handling the case, made evident by the following statements he made concerning the shooting in the days immediately following it.

They shoot when they believe their life is threatened or the lives of others is endangered

they (officers) believed their safety and members of the congregation's safety was threatened

There was a movement with the knife itself and movements made by Mr. Woodward that the officers perceived as a threat to themselves and-or the congregation

Davis recused himself from the investigation around the same time as the intention of the Woodwards to file a lawsuit against the shooters and the Town of Brattleboro became public.

Unlike Attorney General William Sorrell Davis did make an effort to cooperate with the Woodwards' quest for information by traveling to Connecticut on December seventh to meet with them, express his condolences, and share with them details of the case such as information about the autopsy report.

page last modified: 2005-12-14