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Oct 24, 2008 6:09 pm US/Central
Family Upset Over Release Of Video Of Son's Death
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
The parents of Cole Berardi publicly responded to the release of police dash cam video from the car that killed their 10-year-old son.
Family members have publicly said they do not blame police or the officer, Sr. Cpl. Michael Vaughn, in the death of Cole. But they are reportedly not pleased that the dash cam video was not shown to them privately before releasing it to the media Thursday.
"I would have preferred that we would have had the opportunity to see it as a family as opposed to having to watch our son in his last moments on television," said Brett Inman, Cole's step-father. "Our most horrific hour was presented on television before being presented to us."
He went on to say the family has had no communication with the Dallas Police Department about the accident.
Friday, police released dash cam video from a second police unit, which was following Officer Vaughn's car. Both officers were responding to the same disturbance call.
The video shows Officer Vaughn hit his brakes and turned immediately. The following officer turned as well, apparently not immediately knowing why Vaughn suddenly stopped and turned around.
Harry Jones, the family's attorney, said the family will be in review mode for the next two to three months. The results of their findings may or may not lead to a lawsuit. "A lawsuit is the furthest thing on their minds," said Jones. "The bottom line is we want to know what happened to end the life of Cole Berardi."
"If there is never a lawsuit, but we know the truth, that's fine. If there is a lawsuit it's because someone should be held responsible and that's what's just and fair," said Jones. "Everyone in Dallas would agree no one should escape responsibility just because they have a badge."
Police have put the speed at which Vaughn was traveling as 72 mph in a 40-mph zone without his lights and siren. The department has since changed their policy on high-speed runs because of Cole's death.
CBS 11 has learned of two other fatal accidents involving Dallas officers rushing to an incident.
In 2006 a woman was killed in South Dallas. In 2005, 40-year-old L.V Daniels was struck and killed by an officer who was speeding to a call with no lights and sirens.
His family is suing the city and questions why the police department didn't change its policies before Cole was killed in a similar incident.
Click here for more on the family's story.
Officials with the Dallas Police Department say they are still reviewing the Daniels case and have made numerous policy changes every time someone is hurt or injured.
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