A potential conflict of interest has caused the Winnebago County State's Attorney's office to recuse itself from the November first police involved shooting of Demetrius Bennett.

State's Attorney Joe Bruscato says Deputy State's Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross discovered over the weekend the she is related to the 31 year old Bennet as a second cousin. While Hite-Ross doesn't remember having any contact with Bennet, the State's Attorney's office has asked the Illinois Appellate Prosecutor's office in Springfield to review the case after a report from the Integrity Task Force is complete. The Appellate Prosecutor will then determine if the case should go before a grand jury.

Bennett was shot to death inside his house at 1811 Montague following a domestic battery complaint filed by Bennett's wife. Police say bennett was uncooperative and efforts to subdue him with pepper spray were unsuccessful. Police say bennett then grabbed a steak knife and charged towards four officers inside his home prompting the officers to fire their weapons.

Four Rockford Police officers are on administrative leave during the investigation by the Winnebago County Administrative Task Force.