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The family of Susan Cox Powell has filed a third request with West Valley City for documents related to the missing woman's case.
Anne Bremner, a Washington attorney who represents the missing mom's estate and her parents, filed an appeal on Friday with the West Valley City Council after the police department and city manager rejected her request for "any and all investigative files" related to the disappearance of the young mother on Dec. 7, 2009.
Bremner requested the records from the West Valley City Police Department in April. She filed a similar request with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office at the same time.
West Valley Police Sgt. Mike Powell denied Bremner's request in May. City Manager Wayne Pyle upheld that denial in June. Bremner said that Pierce County told her it wanted to delay a response until after it finished prosecution of Steven Powell, Susan's father-in-law, on voyeurism charges and pending a lawsuit filed on behalf of his victims. Steve Powell was sentenced in June and Bremner has filed a notice of intent to pursue a civil lawsuit.
In the appeal sent to the West Valley City Council, which is charged with hearing records appeals, Bremner asked for all incident and investigative reports, forensic and evidence reports, witness and suspect statements, audio, video and surveillance recordings, photographs and reports and communication from any other law enforcement agencies.
Bremner is seeking the documents for use in potential civil litigation and has assured the city that the material would not be released "to other parties or the general public," according to her written request. Bremner also argues that releasing the material will not compromise any investigation, violate anyone's right to privacy and is allowed under Victims' Rights Acts in both states.
"Release of the information we are seeking would further the interests of justice because it would allow us to better represent our clients, the victim in this case," Bremner said in the April request.
The West Valley City Council will set a date for a hearing, which Bremner plans to attend to argue for release of the records. City attorneys will have the opportunity to respond.
Bremner said that in the event the city council also denies the request, she may pursue a lawsuit.
Joshua Powell, the only publicly named person of interest in Susan Powell's disappearance, killed himself and the couple's two young sons in February by setting fire to his rented home in Graham, Wash. Susan Cox Powell remains missing and her parents have said publicly they believe she is dead.
In a separate action, Chuck and Judy Cox, Susan's parents, are seeking proceeds to insurance policies issued in the names of their daughter and grandsons, Charlie, 7, and Braden, 5. A trial in that civil dispute is currently set for October 2013.
A suicide, a double murder and a missing mom
R Joshua Powell, the only publicly named person of interest in Susan Cox Powell's disappearance, killed himself and the couple's two young sons in February by setting fire to his rented home in Graham, Wash. Susan remains missing, and her parents have said publicly they believe she is dead. —
Coxes want to collect on insurance policies
P In a separate action, Chuck and Judy Cox, Susan Cox Powell's parents, are seeking proceeds to insurance policies issued in the names of their daughter and grandsons, Charlie, 7, and Braden, 5. A trial in that civil dispute is set for October 2013.