City Attorney Speaks About Brame Case

Jenkinson told a news conference that the impromptu meeting was held to discuss City Manager Ray Corpuz' comments in a Seattle Post-Intelligencer story that day about the couple's divorce, which included allegations that Brame had pointed a gun at his wife.

"I agreed with Mr. Corpuz' decision not to initiate an investigation based solely on the newspaper account of the dissolution proceedings," Jenkinson said. "I cautioned him, however, against suggesting that the city does not care about off-duty conduct, because the city can and does take action based on such conduct when appropriate."

In his comments to the P-I, Corpuz cautioned that accusations made during a contested divorce must be proven.

"He's doing a great job," Corpuz told the newspaper. "I'm not interested in exploring David's personal life at this time."

Nine days after the shooting, Corpuz voluntarily went on paid leave and subsequently said he would retire when investigations covering Brame's 22-year police career are complete.

Brame, 44, shot his wife, Crystal, 35, then turned the gun on himself in the parking lot of a Gig Harbor strip mall April 26. He died hours after the shooting. Crystal Brame died a week later.

Brame was hired in 1981 despite a psychological evaluation that found him unfit for duty. Corpuz made him chief in January 2002. Ten days before the shooting, Corpuz ruled out an investigation of the chief, as requested by several officers who suggested that a visit to the home of his in-laws with Assistant Chief Catherine Woodard was inappropriate.

After the shooting, Woodard was named acting chief, then Corpuz placed her on leave pending an investigation into allegations that she had threatened and intimidated Crystal Brame.

While sitting in on hiring panels for Brame in November 2001, Jenkinson said, she and her chief assistant, Elizabeth Pauli, knew nothing about allegations that Brame had raped a woman in 1988. Brame was never charged.

State and federal investigators, including the FBI, are conducting interviews and poring through records for evidence of possible criminal violations during Brame's rise through police ranks.

Previous Stories: May 25, 2003: Sheriff's Office Says It Would Have Investigated Brame May 23, 2003: New Bombshell In Brame Case May 23, 2003: Police Memo On Decision Not To Investigate Brame May 23, 2003: Anonymous Letter Urges Brame Investigation May 19, 2003: Donation Announced For Brame Children's Fund May 13, 2003: Tacoma's City Manager To Retire May 8, 2003: Official Sought To Stop Rape Allegation From Coming Out May 7, 2003: Tacoma Officer Says Brame Admitted To Rape May 5, 2003: Woman Recounts Alleged Rape By Brame