Cox will face questions in slain stripper lawsuit

George Hunter / The Detroit News

Detroit -- Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox will sit for a deposition next month in the lawsuit involving slain dancer Tamara Greene, a federal judge said today.

Cox is expected to be deposed on Dec. 11 in the lawsuit by the family of the slain dancer.

Greene, linked to a long-rumored but never proven 2002 party at the Manoogian Mansion, was killed in a Detroit drive-by shooting in 2003. Her family claims city and police officials obstructed the investigation of her murder for political reasons. The city denies the allegations.

Cox investigated the rumored party and concluded it was an "urban legend." State police investigators, who were later deposed by Norman Yatooma, the attorney for Greene's family, claim Cox quashed their investigation into whether the party happened.

Cox's deposition will be sealed under Cox's objection, Chief U.S. District Judge Gerald E. Rosen said.

"I understand why the attorney general wants them unsealed but that isn't the court's concern," he said.

Three other Michigan State Police officers also will be deposed, although no date was announced.

Also today, attorneys for the city conferred in the judge's chambers laying out their objection to the release of 36 text messages sent on city-owned pagers to defense attorneys. City attorneys do not want the messages released, claiming they have no bearing on the case.

Rosen said the trial will begin some time in May.

ghunter@detnews.com (313) 222-2134