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TACOMA, Wash. — The parents of Susan Cox Powell have given their OK to sue West Valley police over investigative records related to their daughter's disappearance, a Cox family lawyer confirmed to KSL.
"At some point, you say that's enough," attorney Anne Bremner said. "They've been patient and then they keep learning this new information and things weren't done, and they've sat through this trial. At some point you say, you know, I'm done."
Bremner said police had denied the family's initial request for the records, which was filed in reference to Utah's victim's rights laws.
Chuck and Judy Cox do have to exhaust an appeal, and a response from West Valley is due by June 8. Bremner said barring a change of heart from police, the lawsuit will be filed then.
The lawsuit would mark a major departure from the Cox family's approach. Judy and Chuck Cox have previously said they don't want to do anything that would hinder the investigation or stop police from looking for their missing daughter.
Related:
Steven Powell's daughter launches website defending dad
While waiting for the jury to reach a decision in Steven Powell's voyeurism trial, his daughter Alina Powell launched a new website to give her family's side of the story."I don't know if it's a boiling point but it's just reached kind of a point of no return," Bremner said.
Bremner has maintained Utah's victim's rights laws grant victims the same rights as defendants, and defendants are able to review police reports and records related to their cases.
According to Bremner and another Cox family attorney, Steve Downing, Pierce County Sheriff's investigators have agreed to hand over their investigative records following the conclusion of the Steven Powell voyeurism trial.
Downing said the trial had been disappointing to Chuck and Judy Cox because it has yielded no further answers about Susan.
"That was a real blow, because there had been some hope that some information would come out," Downing said.
Downing spoke to KSL Monday about the Cox family's legal future, and acknowledged several options were on the table.
Downing said the Coxes may push to have voyeurism charges related to Susan leveled against Steven Powell. He would not commit to future lawsuits against the Powell family, West Valley Police or agencies in Washington - though he said all options were on the table.
Chuck Cox Monday also alluded to hopes more serious charges may be filed someday against Steven Powell related to his daughter's disappearance.
"Conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping - I don't know which it was first but I do believe my daughter's gone and I do know Steve knows what happened to her," Cox said.
