Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney Bob Cooney is requesting the state appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the July suicide of a Traverse City man at Grand Traverse County Jail.

Cooney sent a letter to Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette Thursday asking for a special prosecutor to handle an investigation into the death of 41-year-old Alan Bradley Halloway. Halloway was in custody facing multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, when he hung himself in his cell in July. Two corrections officers left the department following the suicide, including one who resigned and one who was terminated. Attorneys representing Halloway's family have alleged negligence on the county's behalf and are taking legal action in the case.

In his memo to Schuette, Cooney said "there may be an appearance that (he) is biased against Mr. Halloway" since Cooney had charged the suspect with attempted murder and advised county commissioners about potential civil litigation regarding the circumstances of Halloway's death at the county jail. He asked a special prosecutor be appointed instead to handle the investigation to avoid "an appearance of impropriety."

The state could respond to Cooney's request as soon as next week.