South Bend Mayor Mueller calls on special prosecutor to release evidence found in Eric Logan case

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - In South Bend's second community conversation in response to the special prosecutor's decision not to file charges against former South Bend Police Sargeant Ryan O'Neill in the deadly shooting of Eric Logan, emotions ran high leading South Bend Mayor James Mueller to make a promise to the public.

"I am working on a formal request to get full answers to these questions as well as a request to release the underlying evidence of the report publicly," Mueller said.

These community conversations are intended to help curb the mistrust and tension between the public and South Bend Police.

The meeting kicked off with city officials offering their support and condolences to Eric Logan's family.

Mayor Mueller read a statement and then opened the floor for questions.

Some offered pointed criticism to the mayor.

"So I ask you Mayor directly, why are you digging your heals in on (South Bend Police Chief) Scott Ruszkowski?" One person said who did not give her name. "Nobody wants him in place anymore. The community doesn't want him there. The police department does not want him there. The FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) does not want him  there. I want to know why you are digging your heals in."

Community members wanted to know details about the Special Prosecutor's investigation, such as why Sargeant O'Neill did not have his body camera on during the incident, and what evidence there is to consider the shooting justified.

It all left Eric Logan's family wanting more.

"I just want justice," said Eric Logan's niece, Marquita Logan. "That's it. I don't have nothing to say just justice."

Mayor Mueller said he could not make any guarantees on when he could get the special prosecutor's evidence released, but did promise to file his formal request to do so by the end of the week.

South Bend does plan to have more of these community conversations, but due to the uncertainty surrounding coronavirus in St. Joseph County, the city does not yet have the next discussion on the calendar.