Russell Poole

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Russell Poole is a former LAPD detective most noted for taking over the investigation of the slain rapper, Biggie Smalls. Poole is also known for investigating the March 18, 1997, killing of LAPD Officer Kevin Gaines by LAPD Officer Frank Lyga.[1]

Contents

[edit] LAPD Rampart investigation

See also: Rampart Scandal

After months of investigating and substantial amounts of evidence, Poole accused an LAPD officer, David Mack, along with his friend Amir Muhammad, of being complicit in the murder. Poole had enough evidence that Mack had ties with the CEO of Death Row Records, Marion "Suge" Knight.[2] He had sources that he grew up in the same neighbourhood as Knight, was in the same gang as Knight (the Bloods), was a frequent visitor at Knights' private parties, and wore the same blood red clothes as Knight and the Bloods.

Poole eventually sent this information to the chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, Bernard Parks, who ordered Poole to cease all investigation on Officer David Mack as Mack had been arrested for bank robbery in December 1997 and was on his way to prison. Poole became so disgusted with the police force that he resigned in late 1999[3] after a long and rewarding career. In fact, he was so upset from being halted from the case that he initially planned on committing suicide ("I almost took my life, but it was my kids that actually saved me"), but reconciled in thought of family and relatives.[4] Furthermore, he filed a lawsuit against the LAPD for violating his First Amendment rights by preventing him from going to the public with his information.[5] He has since taken over the investigation of the rapper's slaughter himself after starting a detective service. Poole was featured in a 2001 interview with VH1 and recently in the controversial documentary film, Biggie & Tupac, conducted by Nick Broomfield in 2001 and released on VHS and DVD in January 2002.

[edit] Bibliography

  • LAbyrinth: A Detective Investigates the Murders of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., the Implication of Death Row Records' Suge Knight, and the Origins of the Los Angeles Police Scandal, Atlantic Monthly Press, ISBN 978-0-87113-838-5.

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ The Murder of the Notorious B.I.G. : Rolling Stone
  2. ^ PBS Frontline interview, February 6, 2001 at http://www.pbs.org/
  3. ^ Court TV Crime Library at Crime Library
  4. ^ Stated by him to Nick Broomfield in the film Biggie & Tupac (2002)
  5. ^ [Inside]

[edit] External links

Rampart Scandal
Notable Accused Officers Victims Coverup and Investigation Gang Involvement Other elements