Defender Newsletter Vol. 2
Our Mission: The Defender is the newsletter published by EBWiki, a new web application aimed at using the force of community and technology to end the acts of racial violence perpetrated by law enforcement and others against people of color. Each week, we will provide a summary of new cases of violence as well as updates on the other cases we are tracking. Click here to subscribe to The Defender
New Cases This Week:
Khari Westly, Shreveport, LA - July 26, 2015. Khari Westly, 33 was shot and killed on July 26, 2015 when police responded to a call from a woman that she and at least one other woman were being held at gunpoint by a male relative. According to police, the man fired at least two gunshots at his estranged wife when she arrived and then another gunshot as he fled from the officers. Four officers returned fire, killiing the man.
Ralkina Jones, Cleveland Heights, OH - July 26, 2015. The body of 37-year-old Ralkina Jones was recovered Sunday, July 26, 2015 at the Cleveland Heights city jail. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office reported that they responded to the jail over the weekend. Ralkina Jones’ family is asking for answers about her death, saying she was “perfectly fine” when they visited her at the jail the day before.
Donatae Martin, Dayton, OH - July 23, 2015. 34-year-old Donatae Martin was shot by Montgomery County Sheriff”s Office deputies after they said he appeared to have a handgun while still inside his vehicle. Deputies responded to a 911 call at 12:43 a.m. in which the caller described an accident scene with a possible injured victim in the car. According to police, upon arriving, they saw that the driver was displaying a handgun and discharged their weapons, killing him.
Andre Dontrell Williams, Oklahoma City, OK - July 22, 2015. Andre Dontrell Williams, 26, was shot and killed on July 22, 2015 by Oklahoma City police. Police said the shooting came during an investigation when they entered the home and found Williams hiding under a bed. According to police, Williams emerged with a knife, would not drop it after orders and made an aggressive move at one of the officers. They tasered Williams twice and then shot him.
Devon Guisherd Philadelphia, PA - July 22, 2015. 26-year-old Devon Guisherd was killed by members of a Philadelphia police SWAT unit who arrived at 6:10 a.m. at an apartment complex to arrest Guisherd. According to police, they broke through the door of his second floor apartment, and Guishard tried to run, before they exchanged fire and he as killed.
Case Updates:
Eric Garner, New York, NY. On July 29, a NY appeals court affirmed the decision not to release the grand jury minutes underlying the decision not to indict Officer Pantaleo. http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2015/07/29/appeals-court-affirms-decision-not-to-release-grand-jury-minutes-in-case-of-eric-garner-s-death.html. On July 23, 2015, the New York Times reported that State Supreme Court judge, Justice Alice Schlesinger, ordered the release of a summary of misconduct findings against Daniel Pantaleo. The information had been sought by the Legal Aid Society under the Freedom of Information Act. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/24/nyregion/judge-orders-release-of-misconduct-findings-against-officer-in-eric-garner-case.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0
Freddie Gray, Baltimore, MD. While officer claim that their earlier statements were coerced, prosecutors deny that statements made by officers charged in his death were obtained illegally.http://www.wbaltv.com/news/prosecutors-deny-officers-spoke-under-duress-in-freddie-gray-case/34415536. On July 29, it was reported that Rihanna was blocked by Baltimore authorities from holdng a free concert for Freddie Gray. http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/29/rihanna-freddie-gray-concert-reportedly-blocked-baltimore-police
Samuel Dubose, Cincinnati, OH. The Cincinnati Police Chief told reporters on July 27 that he had seen the video of the shooting and, “it was not good.” http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/city-university-of-cincinnati-official-meet-with-faith-leaders-to-discuss-deadly-police-shooting. On July 29, the video was released in conjunction with a press conference featuring the chief prosecutor, members of the Dubose family and their attorney. Officer Ray Tensing was indicted for the murder of Samuel Dubose. http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/29/us/ohio-sam-dubose-tensing-indictment/
Sandra Bland, Hempstead, TX. A county prosecutor in Texas said on July 23, 2015 that an autopsy of Sandra Bland concluded that her injuries were consistent with suicide, not homicide. http://www.cleveland.com/court-justice/index.ssf/2015/07/judge_to_rule_on_motion_to_dis.html\
Darrius Stewart, Memphis, TN. On July 26, 2015, Memphis police announced that they were investigating threats against the officer who fatally shot Stewart. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/local-news/crime/mpd-investigating-threats-against-officer-who-shot-darrius-stewart_39616562
Kindra Darnell Chapman, Homewood, AL. On Thursday July 23, 2015, Jefferson County District Attorney Brandon Falls released a statement that read, “At this time, I see no evidence of criminal wrongdoing in the arrest and detention, and I believe that her death is the result of a suicide.” According to the press release, his office had received video from the night of Chapman’s death. He said the video showed Chapman taking her own life but he has not yet released the video.
Tamir Rice, Cleveland, OH. On July 23, a group of family members and supporters of Tamir Rice marched to a city courthouse and delivered a petition with 60,000 signatures to the Cuyahoga County Justice Center requesting the prosecutor take action. http://www.ibtimes.com/tamir-rice-shooting-update-family-delivers-60000-signature-petition-asking-prosecutor-2022307