War of words ensues over Sanders review

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A war of words is escalating between Austin's Police Chief and an outspoken critic over a leaked independent review we first told you about Saturday .

APD Chief Art Acevedo held a press conference Saturday to answer charges that he's part of a "cover-up" related to last year's fatal shooting of  Nathaniel Sanders, 18.

Acevedo spoke directly to criticism from the Texas Civil Rights Project .

Now, Jim Harrington, the director of that group, has fired back and renewed claims that the city is manipulating information.

Harrington said he believe Chief Acevedo fed the public "half-baked" information at the press conference and called it nothing more than a "diversionary tactic."

Acevedo told KXAN he is unable to release the unredacted version of the independent review of former officer Leo Quintana because a federal judge told him he can't.

The report shows Quintana acted "recklessly" on May 11th, 2009, when he fatally Sanders.

Harrington charged that Acevedo mislead the public by failing to mention that the city asked the federal court to issue the protective order and not release the report.

"I think there's is a lot of dissembling going on here," said Harrington.  "I think there's a lack of candor going on here and I think this is all part of the cover up that has gone on and continues to this very day."

Harrington also called  for city council to correct what he feels is a "misstatement" given to the public.

He said if a correction is not made, he plans on going to City Hall Thursday to confront council members in person.