Civil Rights Lawyer Accuses Connecticut Inspector General of Delaying Stevie Jones Shooting Probe

Context On Thursday, civil‑rights attorney Benjamin Crump joined advocates at the Hartford State Capitol for the NAACP’s Legislative Advocacy Day. The group demanded a swift, transparent probe of the February shooting of Steven “Stevie” Jones, a man experiencing a mental‑health crisis who died a week after being shot by a Hartford police officer.

Key Facts Crump told reporters the Inspector General’s Office should not require months to review the bystander video that captures the incident. “You got a video, it should not take that long for you to investigate when you got a video that has visual evidence, audio evidence,” he said, adding that the delay is “troubling to the family of Stevie Jones.”

The footage shows several officers attempting to calm Jones before Officer Joseph Magnano arrives and fires nine rounds. Body‑camera and bystander recordings have sparked statewide outrage.

Inspector General Eliot D. Prescott responded that the investigation must be “thorough and comprehensive.” He emphasized that forensic testing and inter‑agency coordination are required to examine all evidence before conclusions can be drawn.

Crump also pressed for a new law, dubbed the “Steven ‘Stevie’ Jones law,” which would require officers to demonstrate the use of every lesser‑force option before resorting to deadly force in mental‑health calls. The proposal mirrors Connecticut’s existing Police Accountability Act but seeks explicit documentation of non‑lethal measures.

State Rep. Antonio Felipe’s office indicated the bill is not currently under legislative consideration, describing Crump’s push as an effort to draft new legislation.

Jones’s sister, Audrey Jones, urged reforms, saying no family should lose a loved one because of a mental‑health crisis. “This is not just about my brother. This is about every person who may face a mental health crisis, their life matters,” she said.

What It Means The clash highlights a broader tension between rapid public demand for accountability and procedural safeguards that agencies cite as necessary. As the Inspector General’s office proceeds with forensic analysis, the state’s legislative agenda may see renewed pressure to codify stricter use‑of‑force protocols for mental‑health incidents. Watch for any formal legislative proposals or updates from the Inspector General in the coming weeks.