Inmate’s family wants FBI probe

Keith Paul

Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2001 | 11:18 a.m.

The family of a French national who died in the Clark County jail during a struggle with guards may be demanding an FBI investigation, but French officials are not ready to make that request from the U.S. government.

"We want to find out the truth. We are not yet at the point where we have asked for an FBI investigation," Yo-Jung Chen, a spokesman for the French consulate in Los Angeles, said.

The FBI is "monitoring" the situation, but has not opened an investigation into the Jan. 4 death of Philippe Le Menn, 33, who died after scuffling with up to five guards inside a cell at the jail.

"If the facts ... indicate there was a violation or possible violation of federal law, then we will open up a case," Special Agent Daron W. Borst, spokesman for the Las Vegas FBI office, said.

While Metro continues its investigation and is awaiting the results from a Clark County coroner's autopsy, Le Menn's family and the American Civil Liberties Union have been peppering Metro with complaints and allegations.

Gary Peck, executive director of the Las Vegas ACLU, said the explanations Metro has given for Le Menn's death have not been credible and called the actions of the guards possibly criminal.

Deputy Chief Ray Flynn deflected Peck's comments, claiming the guards were trying to regain control of an inmate and there is no evidence of kicking or punching him.

"Gary Peck continuously seeks to find a soapbox to speak from," Flynn said. "I think his comments are uncalled for."

Le Menn's cousin, Philip Moreau, continued his demands for the FBI to investigate the death, saying if an American died in France under similar circumstances, the U.S. government would request a neutral investigator.

"This is not acceptable. This is suppose to be America," Moreau said. "They are trying to cover up what they did to my cousin. They are just trying to figure out a way to cover the whole thing up."

Flynn denies that allegation, saying the videotape of the struggle was released to the family and clearly shows the guards did not kick or punch Le Menn.

Peck claims the videotape was heavily edited, but Flynn said the video system is the type that takes a picture every few seconds and has not been edited.

The tape has been broadcast on U.S. and French national news shows.

Le Menn, 33, was in a cell by himself after being verbally and physically disruptive when he was brought to the jail about 9:15 a.m. on charges of disorderly conduct, annoying a minor and causing a disturbance on school property. LeMenn apparently stripped off his clothing, stuff it in the toilet and began flushing it, causing his cell to flood, Metro jail official Capt. Henry Hoogland said.

Le Menn was then handcuffed and taken to another cell that has a videocamera in order to watch him more closely after he made several bizarre statements about being Christ and needing to save the children, Hoogland said.

Hoogland said Le Menn started struggling with guards as soon as one handcuff was removed after he was moved into the new cell.

The tape has not solved any of the lingering questions about Le Menn's death, as Metro and Le Menn's family see different actions in the grainy images.

"They are beating him. It was disgusting," said Moreau, who lives in Los Angeles. "They are pounding on him. They are kicking him. There was no reason for any of this."

But Flynn said the tape shows the guards just trying to regain control of the 6-foot-2, 300-pound inmate, and when Le Menn collapses, trying to save his life.

The autopsy results are expected to be completed in about two weeks, officials said.