The Killing of George Floyd Brought Back Memories

Although this blog was launched in August 2012, it was not until 2014 when I first blogged about a case involving an unarmed person killed by police.   It was Jonathan Ferrell.  Previously, I blogged about unarmed people killed by private citizens. Trayvon Martin was the first followed by Jordan Davis.

As I understand it, if you access this blog via cellphone, you have to click another button to see the top menu.  The top menu includes “Cases/Victims”.  A pull-down menu appears when hovering over it. Recently as I started to include three other names on that menu, I was struck with sadness.  There are already 127 names.

Most were killed by members of law enforcement.  At least one was a member of law enforcement.  Some survived the beating or shooting.  Most are Black, who are disproportionately killed by law enforcement.  Believing in equality and justice for all, the list on the pull-down menu includes Whites, Latinx, Asians, men and women.  The cases involve Black and White officers. What is interesting in documenting cases involving Black officers is the number of times they are charged and found guilty, compared to their White counterparts.

Offhand, I only remember one case where a Black officer was acquitted.  The victim in that case was 95-year old John Wrana, a WWII veteran.  Park Forest, IL officer Craig Taylor shot John in the abdomen with 5 beanbags in rapid succession.  John Wrana was in his room in a retirement home when he was killed.  He died from internal bleeding.  Officer Taylor had a bench trial and was found not guilty.

In September 2018, after I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, I lacked the energy and time to write blog posts that required research.   That doesn’t mean that there weren’t victims, or trials, or recent news about investigations.  Then 2019 arrived and I heard about Javier Ambler II in Texas.  I thought that I felt complacent, thinking, “nothing will be done.”  It’s now been 15 months and the investigation is still opened.  The two deputies involved in Ambler’s death have not provided written statements.  LivePD that filmed the incident destroyed the video tape.

After seeing the video of the killing of George Floyd, I was reminded of Javier Ambler II. An officer placed his knee on Ambler who said several times that he could not breathe.

Ethan Saylor also came to mind.  Like Floyd, Saylor was not killed by gunshot, but by chocking.  His esophagus was broken.  Also like George Floyd, Ethan called out for his mother. Ethan Saylor was not Black, but he was different.  Ethan was Down Syndrome. None of the 3 deputy sheriffs involved in killing Ethan were charged.

Originally when I began writing this post, my intention was to name the cases where the officers involved were not charged.  They are names that others may have forgotten or not known about.  Along with Ethan Saylor is Darrien Hunt; Saif Nasser Mubarak Alameri; John Crawford III; Mark Anthony Barmore.  I wanted to not only inform, but to also honor the victims; to let their families know they are not forgotten.  But, that all changed because there — are — just — too — many.  (sigh)

 

 

Man Who Called-In False Report On John Crawford Might Be Charged

Fairborn Municipal Court Judge Beth Root has ruled that there is probable cause to charge Ronald T. Ritchie with making false alarms.  Judge Root ruled that there was not probable cause to issue a criminal complaint against Ritchie for inciting to violence, inducing panic, involuntary manslaughter or reckless homicide.  She has referred the case for making false alarms to a prosecutor.

On August 5, 2014, Ronald T. Ritchie called 911 reporting that a Black man was in the Beavercreek, Ohio’s Walmart pointing a gun at shoppers and children.  Beavercreek police officer Sean Williams arrived and shot John twice, killing him.  John had picked up an air rifle from the shelf in the store.  The store’s surveillance video shows that John was not behaving as Ritchie reported.

John Crawford III was 22-years old.  At the time he was killed by Officer Williams, a shopper, 37-year old Angela Williams, had a heart attack while rushing out of the store.  She died.

The Dayton Daily News reports that 10 private citizens filed affidavits in Fairborn Municipal Court and turned in Walmart surveillance video synchronized to the 911 call by the FBI on March 25.  Judge Root watched the synchronized video and ruled that at the time that Ritchie told 911 that John was pointing a gun at two children, that the video does not depict that event.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch Vows to Investigate John Crawford’s Shooting Death in Walmart

I certainly hope that the DOJ looks into the man who made the 911 call, because it could be pretext to violate John’s civil rights because of his race.

When Words Of Comfort Don’t Seem To Be Enough

Just some thoughts on this dreary, cold day.

It is hard when loved ones die from disease or old age. It is horrible when loved ones die from an accident. It is devastating when loved ones are killed by others.   Those left behind always seem to have a feeling of guilt, but that’s mainly from being helpless. I’ve said on this blog many times that death does not discriminate. It doesn’t care about age, gender, or the color of skin.   Money might buy medical care to extend life, but it cannot bribe death when the time comes.  That sense of helplessness runs deep.

When loved ones are killed, people look to the justice system. The only comfort that comes from that is the sense of juries and judges acknowledging right from wrong. However, what juries hear and see is painted by their own hearts and minds.  People are not computers programmed to process data without bias.

There are times when there are no words sufficient in bringing comfort to the hurting, to those who have lost loved ones, the ill, the tired. There are times when I feel that there must be more – something I can do, and not merely say. If I had the power of resurrection, I would walk through the hospitals, the morgue, the graveyards, calling out names and saying, “Come forth.”

Today, because I feel that there are no words sufficient to directly comfort the living, I will address their loved ones who have gone on.