Much of the vehemence of the eyewitness accounts of James Philip Chasse’s death appears to have been lost in translation when recounted in the cops’ official investigative reports, released to the media last Thursday, November 1.The Mercury has gone through the two sets of documents (pictured above), comparing the original witness testimonies with the cops’ investigative reports. This is what the cops say:

”The detective’s summaries are not designed to re-interpret or summarize the witnesses’ statements,â€� says the Portland Police Bureau’s public information officer, Sergeant Brian Schmautz. “There is no attempt to change, delude or decrease what is said, nor any intent of subterfuge. If you’re suggesting the detectives are attempting to be sneaky, that is why we have released the original witness transcripts—for the sake of transparency.”