Rodney Reed sits on death row in a Texas prison while awaiting his execution. His execution is slated for November 20. In 1996, a jury convicted Reed of rape and murder of Stacy Stites, a woman whom he claims he had a consensual relationship. Doubts about his guilt have surfaced with many celebrities joining in his cause, including Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Dr. Phil and others. The victim was the fiancé of former police officer, Jimmy Fennel. Fennel was suspected of the murder after he failed 2 police administered lie detector tests. But DNA evidence helped to convict Reed whom he admits to having a consensual affair with Fennel’s fiancé, the victim. Since Reed’s conviction Fennel confessed in 2010 while in jail to inmate Arthur Snow; a cousin agreed that Stites and Reed were romantically involved; and, an insurance agent also supported the theory that Fennell killed Stites. Reed’s attorneys, The Innocence Project, filed a petition for clemency to the Board of Pardons and Parole. … [Read more...] about Rodney Reed and Why We Must End the Death Penalty
murder
Atatiana Jefferson Deserves Justice
The murder of Atatiana Jefferson, cut me through the core. It was the most recent killing of an African American by a white police officer while relaxing in her Forth Worth, Texas home playing video games with her 8 year- old nephew. I had hardly recovered from the trial of Amber Guyger murdering Botham Jean in his Dallas home when this incident occurred. In the early morning hours on October 5, a police officer, now fired, went to Jefferson’s home to do a wellness check at the bequest of her neighbor. Instead of checking on her well-being, the officer shot her to death. If the officer had been a drug dealer or a burglar peering through her window and firing at her, it would be considered an assassination. I consider the cowardly act of this police officer to be an assassination of an innocent young woman, not yet 30 years old. We can’t continue to have black lives taken at the hands of trigger- happy police who fear African Americans. There must be accountability both before an … [Read more...] about Atatiana Jefferson Deserves Justice
Another White Cop Acquitted in Murder of a Black Man
Once again, as we have seen all too often, another white police officer has been acquitted in the murder of a St. Louis Black man, Anthony Lamar Smith. Ex- police officer Jason Stockley was charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of Smith. This 2011 case, like the few others where police officers have even been charged, ended the same way as the officer trials in Freddie Gray, Walter Scott, Jonathan Ferrell and Samuel Dubose cases. They all ended without justice for the murder of a black man. Most end in an acquittal or hung jury without a retrial. There was strong evidence in the Smith case to convict Stockley. First, Mr. Smith was trying to get away from the officer during a police chase in his vehicle. Stockley, apparently outraged at Smith’s actions is heard saying, I’m gonna kill that ___expletive. And less than one minute later, Stockley kept his promise and shot and killed Smith. Stockley later alleged a gun was found in Smith’s car---after going inside … [Read more...] about Another White Cop Acquitted in Murder of a Black Man
Why Walter Scott’s Killer May be Re-Tried–Even if Found Guilty
Debbie Hines on MSNBC explains the Michael Slager trial and the implications of the lone juror holdout. Former Charleston, SC police officer Michael Slager, who is on trial for the murder of Walter Scott, after firing 5 shots into Scott’s back, while fleeing from the officer, may get an early Christmas present—his freedom. As of Friday, a jury of 11 white persons and one lone black juror failed to reach an unanimous verdict. Eleven of the jurors support a conviction of either first degree murder or voluntary manslaughter. One lone hold-out states in a letter given to the judge that he or she is unable to come to a guilty verdict and won’t come to a verdict (paraphrased). Judge Newman did not order a mistrial on Friday, December 2. Instead, Judge Newman instructed the jury to go home over the weekend and continue deliberations on Monday, December 5. Michael Slager may have already won his freedom and the right to a new trial with the help of the one lone … [Read more...] about Why Walter Scott’s Killer May be Re-Tried–Even if Found Guilty
What Not Guilty for Baltimore Police Officer Means
On June 23, Caesar Goodson was acquitted of all charges stemming from the death of Freddie Gray. The most serious charges including 2nd degree murder were facing Goodson, along with manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office. The trial and verdict were watched in the U.S. and abroad as the issue of police brutality took center stage. Immediately following the verdict, I spoke from the Baltimore Court house to Fox 5 DC. Here's the segment on Fox 5 DC: … [Read more...] about What Not Guilty for Baltimore Police Officer Means
Baltimore Police Officer Goodson Trial Recap before Verdict
Officer Caesar Goodson’s trial transcends beyond Baltimore in exposing difficulties in proving police brutality cases when relying on police to investigate other officers. Closing arguments begin on Monday, June 20, in the trial of Caesar Goodson, the van driver and third Baltimore officer, to go to trial for the death of Freddie Gray. Goodson’s trial exposed the heart of the problems with proving these officers guilty of the various crimes for which they are charged in Gray’s death. And Goodson’s trial transcends beyond Baltimore in exposing difficulties in proving police brutality cases when relying on police to investigate other officers. Gray died on April 19, 2015 after being placed in police custody in a police van without a seat belt on April 12, 2015. The state alleges he was given a “rough ride” by van driver officer Goodson, which ultimately resulted in his spinal injuries and death, along with a failure to seat belt Gray, to avoid injury. Goodson faces the most serious … [Read more...] about Baltimore Police Officer Goodson Trial Recap before Verdict