Cox to be deposed Dec. 11 in slain dancer suit

George Hunter / The Detroit News

Detroit -- Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox will be deposed next month by the lawyer representing relatives of slain dancer Tamara Greene, although his statements will be sealed until further notice, a federal judge said Tuesday.

Cox's deposition in the lawsuit by Greene's family against the city of Detroit is tentatively planned for Dec. 11.

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. 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 ever happened.

Cox's deposition will be sealed, despite the Attorney General'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.

Cox wants to open his deposition to public scrutiny to avoid the appearance that he has something to hide, spokesman John Sellek said.

However, the judge said he wants the deposition sealed so that any information he reveals won't contaminate the case.

"If the attorney general wants them unsealed, I will entertain that notion at a later date," Rosen said.

Three other Michigan State Police officers also will be deposed in the case. Prior to Tuesday's hearing, the 12 attorneys involved in the case conferred in the judge's chambers for more than an hour.

After a brief hearing, attorneys for the city again convened with the judge in his chambers to lay out their objection to the release to defense attorneys of 36 text messages sent on city-owned pagers. City attorneys do not want the messages released, claiming they have no bearing on the case.

ghunter@detnews.com (313) 222-2134