Raylyn "Ray Ray" George, 24, died from a gunshot wound after an Aug. 25, 2005, police foot chase in the Marina Village housing project in Bridgeport's South End. A state police investigation exonerated Bridgeport police.

Hearing Officer Mary Schwind said she will review the paperwork and then make a recommendation to the FOI Commission on which documents, if any, should be turned over to lawyers representing George's family.

The commission can accept, reject or modify Schwind's recommendation.

The state police investigation concluded that while city Police Officer Luis Batista fired three shots at George, George died after the gun he was carrying discharged when he fell while trying to climb a fence. A bullet from his gun struck him just above his knee, making it impossible for him to run, according to investigators' reports. A second bullet, which police believe indicated George committed suicide, was fired from about 3 inches away behind his right ear.

"It's not even a close call," said Bridgeport State's Attorney Jonathan Benedict. "We have carefully examined the evidence."

But Burton Weinstein, who with Tina Sypek D'Amato, is representing George's family, believes the investigation was a cover-up.

Weinstein said that, initially, police claimed Batista killed George during a shootout.

"I'm baffled," said Weinstein, 78, a longtime civil rights lawyer. "This is the first case in my long career where a man is shot by police, then unshot by police and dies from an unshot wound."

After hearing evidence, Schwind ordered the state Department of Public Safety to turn over 66 unredacted documents for her review. The documents, which have been withheld from Weinstein, include 49 signed witness statements, including one from a person who was briefly placed in a witness protection program; 15 pages of the state's chief medical examiner's autopsy report; and two pages of medical information involving two other individuals who were not identified Thursday.

Both Jennifer Janeiro, an attorney for the Department of Public Safety and Assistant Attorney General Neil Parille claim the documents are protected from release under state law.

In a related matter, Schwind asked Weinstein and Associate City Attorney Melanie Howlett to file briefs as to why no Bridgeport police documents were turned over.

"There are no police documents because the Bridgeport police did not investigate the shooting, the state police did," Howlett said.

But Weinstein produced a copy of what appears to be a deputy chief's report pertaining to the shooting submitted to former Acting Bridgeport Police Chief Anthony Armeno.

Weinstein also expressed bewilderment over new Chief Bryan T. Norwood's statement to the Greater Bridgeport NAACP on Aug. 10 that he would be "foolish" to turn over the documents.

"When the chief addressed the NAACP, he either had, or was suffering from acute functioning anemia," Weinstein said. "I intend to do everything I can to help him recover."

"File your suit and depose him yourself," Howlett shot back. "I'll take your advice and take action appropriately," Weinstein replied.