We have new information into the bar room assault at the hands of Detroit Police Commander Timothy Leach.
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Mike Karpovich has a long recovery after being forced to the floor, and hitting his head at the Ottava Via on March 11.
Sources with Michigan State Police who are conducting the criminal investigation with Detroit Police say they could go to the Wayne County Prosecutor for a warrant request and charges against several people as early as Monday.
Two veteran cops with 40 combined years on the job in Detroit were working security inside the bar.
Tim Leach has been demoted to Lieutenant and is on a paid suspension.
Police Chief James Craig is confirming to the 7 Investigators that Detective Fred Person was also at the bar and is now on restricted duty.
Both may have played a role in delaying getting to the truth of what happened.
Witnesses say customers called 911 and two Detroit Police Officers were dispatched to the bar. But they were told this was only a slip and fall, not a use of force by an off duty cop, not an assault.
The veterans did not step forward.
Chief Craig tells 7 Investigator Jim Kiertzner, “I don’t have an answer for you. Yes there’s an expectation. There was a delay of about 3 days. So that really has a negative impact on our ability to do a thorough investigation.”
Mike Karpovich’s family is demanding answers. We first talked with his brother Troy on Tuesday outside of Detroit Receiving Hospital.
“I’ve talked to all of his friends. We’re trying to figure out how this could happen. I’ve never seen him in a fight. His friends who have known him 30 years have never seen him in a fight,” Troy told 7 Investigator Kiertzner.
How serious is this? Could this be an obstruction of justice?
Kiertzner asked Chief Craig who answered, “That’s certainly not my call. That would be something the prosecutor would make a determination on.”
We’ve reached out to Tim Leach, Fred Person and they have not responded.
The owners of the bar are not commenting but said earlier they did provide surveillance video to police that the Chief has watched and said it shows the force used by Leach.
