Although receiving a written request for assistance from a politician is a “little unusual,” an FBI spokesman said the agency will consider U.S. Rep. Albert Wynn’s appeal for help in closing Prince George’s open homicide cases.
“It’s certainly something that [the FBI’s Baltimore Special Agent in Charge] William Chase would consider,” FBI Baltimore spokesman Richard Wolf told The Examiner. “But it’s not a matter of course that we would do that.”
On Wednesday, Wynn sent a letter to Chase, asking for assistance in “closing numerous open murder cases” in the county.
“We’ve obviously had a spike in homicides and the county is seeking state assistance,” Wynn, a Democrat who represents Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, said in an interview, “and so I thought it also made sense to bring in some federal resources.”
Through Thursday, Prince George’s police said there had been 36 homicides in 2007 so far, not including one Greenbelt police are handling. Police would not say how many remain open. Washington has had 34 homicides this year, 22 of which remained open through Thursday. There were 35 homicides in the same period of 2006, D.C. police said. Prince George’s homicides were down 20.7 percent to 134 in all of 2006.
According to Wolf, working with local law enforcement officials is not unusual, but the cooperation is generally “more of an informal situation.” He said there are a variety of task forces where the FBI and local law enforcement pair up.
Wynn spokeswoman Sarah Misailidis said the congressman has spoken to Prince George’s police about the homicide situation, but didn’t speak directly about seeking FBI assistance. “Congressman Wynn is looking for the FBI to assist in any way that they can to help close these cases,” Misailidis said, “whether it be through forensic or other means.”
“I believe what he means to do is back up what [Chief Melvin High] has said,” police spokeswoman Sharon Taylor said, “and the spirit of his letter was meant to support our call to strengthen our partnerships wherever possible.”
Taylor said police departments “always work with federal partners,” and she thought FBI help would likely be on the “prosecutorial” side. But “if the FBI happens to wind up on the scene and solve the case,” Taylor said, “we are not going to be mad.”
Prince George’s Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 89 President Percy Alston said Wynn might have “overstepped his bounds” if he didn’t talk to the county’s police officials before making the request.
“While we appreciate any help we can get,” Alston said, “we’ve got the best investigators to handle any investigations in Prince George’s County.”
