SOUTH BEND â After nearly nine years and millions of dollars in legal fees, the fate of some recordings in the South Bend âpolice tapesâ scandal could soon be determined as the case heads to trial next week.
Starting Thursday, St. Joseph County Superior Court Judge Steven Hostetler is scheduled to preside over a week-long jury trial to decide whether certain secretly recorded conversations of former and current South Bend police officers, which allegedly contain racist comments and discussions of illegal activity, can be publicly released.
The trial will mark a significant step in a long-running legal battle between the South Bend Common Council, which has acted to have the recordings released, and current and former South Bend officers, who seek to prevent the tapesâ disclosure. The officers believe the conversations were recorded illegally under federal wiretap laws.
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Chuck Hurley, whose name was synonymous with local law enforcement, died Wednesday morning at an Indianapolis hospital from a heart-related ailment.
Hurley, 74, served two stints as South Bend police chief, most recently taking over the department at the request of then-Mayor Pete Buttigieg in 2012 after Darryl Boykins was demoted for his role in a police phone call recording controversy.
Those who know Hurley say he could have easily passed on the mayorâs request, as he enjoyed golf and keeping in contact with his large group of friends almost as much as much as law enforcement.
âHe didnât have to come out of retirement,â said Rich Hill, who got to know Hurley while working in the city attorneyâs office in the 1980s. âHis only motivation was to help the department and help the city.â