Federal judge lets Iowa watchdog intervene in wrongful death lawsuit

A federal judge in a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Burlington granted a request by an Iowa watchdog group to intervene in the case.

U.S. Senior Judge James Gritzner on Friday granted the request to intervene by the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, but has deferred the watchdog group’s request to unseal police body camera footage and court documents and evidence introduced in the wrongful death of Autumn Steele, 34, of Burlington. The video and documents had been filed under seal in the wrongful death lawsuit.

Steele was mistakenly shot and killed in January 2015 by Burlington police officer Jesse Hill who said he perceived a threat from the family’s dog while responding to a domestic disturbance. Read more…