Cosby asks California state officials to take back reward money offered to catch son's killer

Jet, Feb 17, 1997

Bill Cosby has asked state officials in California to withdraw reward money they have offered for information leading to an arrest in the killing of the entertainer's son, Ennis.

Cosby and his wife, Camille, issued a statement saying they appreciated the kind gestures but "do not wish to utilize taxpayer money for the reward."

The city of Los Angeles and the state of California have offered rewards that total $75,000 for information in the killing. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors offered $12,500 for information, but the lone Black on the board, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, has indicated that she would ask her colleagues to rescind the offer in accordance with the family's wishes.

Two tabloid newspapers have offered rewards that have totaled more than $300,000 in the killing.

Ennis Cosby, 27, was shot to death Jan. 16 while he changed a flat tire just off a Los Angeles freeway. No suspect has been apprehended in the killing, even though police officials told JET that they've received hundreds of calls with information.

The L.A. Times reported that the Cosby family was getting very uncomfortable with taxpayer money being used for rewards and didn't want the public to get the impression that they were getting preferential treatment.

Cosby spokesman David Brokaw was quoted in the paper as saying: "Camille and Bill Cosby are most serious about this request. They hope all three (governmental bodies) withdraw the reward. This is all about dignity for them."

Police officials, however, have stated that reward monies often provide important clues and leads in crime investigations.

Police officials are still in the process of going over clues provided by the public.