The family of a Saginaw man has requested the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation look into his death.

Christopher Lindley, 29, died Dec. 17 following an apparent

altercation with an Alabama State Trooper.

Alan Edmondson, Lindley’s stepfather, released a written statement citing his family’s concerns.

&uot;Our family does not feel that the state troopers and the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, which are one and the same, are trying to get the truth and are only trying to clear the state trooper,&uot; Edmondson said.

FBI officials did not return calls regarding an investigation; however, Alabama State Trooper spokesman Sgt. Tim Sartain said an ABI investigation is continuing.

&uot;It is under special inquiry,&uot; he said, indicating the investigation may take 30 to 60 days.

&uot;We feel like it is in the best interest for all parties involved for this to be resolved quickly,&uot; Sartain said.

Sartain said he has spoken with the FBI and as of his last conversation, &uot;They do not have a case open with regard to this incident.&uot;

However, he said, &uot;as this is a lethal force incident,&uot; it would not be unusual for the FBI to open a case.

Media reports have indicated, however, that the FBI has opened an investigation of its own into the incident.

Reports from authorities at the scene have indicated that an Alabama State Trooper stopped at 11:45 p.m. when he saw a pickup truck on the railroad tracks south of Alabaster on Highway 31. An altercation followed in which Lindley’s family claim the the trooper repeatedly beat and shot their son.

According to Edmondson, the truck had become stuck in a ditch as Lindley was driving home from Papa Saia’s, a sports bar in Alabaster.

The family claims in their statement that &uot;Chris was unarmed and was not drunk.&uot;

According to media reports, Lindley had a previous driving under the influence conviction, and his stepfather said he had two beers at Papa Saia’s the night of the incident