Protestors rally outside Muscatine Police Dept. - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Protestors rally outside Muscatine Police Dept.

By: Christine Souders

csouders@cbs4qc.com

Suicide or homicide?  That's the question police are asking after a Wilton man is found shot to death, and family members are up in arms over the investigation.

The family of Charles Netherland held a protest outside the Public Safety Building in Muscatine on Friday, where Netherlands' Mother, Penny McDonnell said despite the coroner's report, her son did not kill himself. 

Protestors said it's because of the Muscatine Police Department's investigation, that an Iowa State Examiner said Netherland committed suicide.

"I know he didn't kill himself, everybody in this town knows it.  It was a murder," said Marisa Lopez, Charles Netherlands' sister, who was protesting, along with nearly 15 others.

Penny McDonnell said back in August her son was a victim of a heinous crime the night he died inside a Muscatine apartment, "He loved his friends, he loved his family.  There's no way Charles would ever commit suicide."

But officers said they haven't come to a conclusion in Charles Netherlands' death.  They said it is still an ongoing investigation.

"We have interviewed everyone that we believed needs to be interviewed.  We have done a very thorough job here, and we are waiting on certain pieces of information, certain evidence," said Lieu. Jeff Jirak of the City of Muscatine Police Department.

Jirak explained they too want to get to the bottom of what happened that night, "Anytime that you have an investigation of this nature, you certainly do everything that you can to bring closure."

But family members said they are growing anxious, "They're letting these people walk and they murdered my brother," said Sister Marisa Lopez.

The protestors said they are planning another rally for next Friday at the same location.

Police said the protestors are free to voice their opinions as long as they're peaceful and follow city ordinance.