May. 26, 2004 12:00 AM


A grand jury investigation into a hostage standoff at a state prison will not bring any criminal charges and has cost Maricopa County more than $260,000.

In an order Tuesday, Judge Colin F. Campbell confirmed that Special County Prosecutor Mel McDonald did not seek the court's permission to expand the investigation beyond a criminal probe. Still, he produced a 181-page report and no indictments. Campbell is considering whether to make the report public. McDonald was appointed by the county attorney at the behest of Republican leaders to investigate the handling of the crisis. He and his law firm have been paid $260,000 for their work through April.

Senate President Ken Bennett and House Speaker Jake Flake wrote to Campbell urging the release of the report, which they had hoped would be available in time for Corrections Director Dora Schriro's confirmation hearing today.

- Amanda J. Crawford
 

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