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Detroit Police Chief Criticizes Quadruple Murder Probe

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Police Chief James Craig is criticizing the initial investigation into the year-old unsolved slayings of four people at an east side Detroit home.

Craig told WJBK-TV that the detective assigned to the murders had just joined the homicide unit and didn't have enough experience for the complicated case.

Police are conducting an internal investigation.

The victims in the case — a childcare worker, a 10th grader from Denby High, an aspiring rapper and a short order cook from St. Clair Shores  —  were found shot to death execution style at around 9:15 p.m. on  Dec. 4, at a home in the 15000 block of Tacoma at Brock Avenue.

Killed were Dyrelle Davis, 34, Janetta Harris, 22, Jason Koester, 28 and Shawn Bender, 16.

Crime Stoppers offered a reward in the case, back in January, when family members pleaded for help from the public to find answers.

Investigators, last year, said the killings may have been drug-related.

On Wednesday, Craig said police hadn't arrested anyone.   He's been on the job in the city since June of this year.

The department says it cleared 42 percent of its criminal homicides in 2012. This year's clearance rate is 51 percent, and Craig says he wants that increased to 70 percent. Nationally, the 2012 clearance rate was 62.5 percent for agencies reporting to the FBI.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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