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)

 

 

Justice for Jonathan Ferrell – Jury Deadlocked

A mistrial has been declared in the trial of Randall Kerrick, who was tried for voluntary manslaughter in the killing of unarmed Jonathan Ferrell.

Today was the fourth day of jury deliberations.  The jury earlier told the judge that they were deadlocked, but that discussions after lunch had been productive.

At about 4:15 EST, the jury reported that it was still deadlocked at 8-4, and Superior Court Judge Robert Ervin declared a mistrial.

It is not yet known whether prosecutors will seek to try the case again nor how many jurors voted guilty or not guilty.

This is a developing story and we will keep it updated in the comment section.

As a side note, Adobe Flash continues to crash on my computer freezing it, and I’m experiencing where typing a sentence results in letters not where I typed them.  I’m going to try to work these problems out so I can get back to doing what I love — writing for the blog.

Protesters hold a die-in after the announcement that the jury is deadlocked resulting in a mistrial.

Justice for Jonathan Ferrell – Closing Arguments

We are following the trial of Randall (Wes) Kerrick the Charlotte/Mecklenburg police officer charged with voluntary manslaughter in the killing of unarmed Jonathan Ferrell.

Closing arguments are scheduled for today.  It will be live streamed. I’ve found conflicting times.  Court Chatter has their live stream scheduled for 8:30 a.m.  A news source reports that closing arguments are scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. EST.

The link to court chatter is http://www.courtchatter.com/#!randall-kerrick-trial-stream-1/c6ga. 

Some live streams have horrible sound, so I will continue to look to see if other sources are live streaming.  If anyone else finds another source, please post the link in comments.

Justice for Jonathan Ferrell – Kerrick Trial Continues

We are following the trial of Randall (Wes) Kerrick, an officer with the Charlotte/Mecklenburg, NC police department, who is charged with voluntary manslaughter for killing Jonathan Ferrel.

The videos below include a recap of the case,  a portion Kerrick’s testimony last week, and the prosecutor’s cross-examination questioning his inconsistencies.

If you’re interested in what has been covered of the trial already, please use the search on the right-side border for “Jonathan Ferrell.”

 

Justice for Jonathan Ferrell – Kerrick Takes The Stand

We are following the trial of Randall (Wes) Kerrick, charged with voluntary manslaughter for killing unarmed Jonathan Ferrell.

Yesterday, the defense called Kerrick to the witness stand. One of our participants, Bill Taylor, makes excellent observations and commented about the inconsistencies in defense witnesses’ testimonies.

R.I.P. Jonathan

Officer Little, who was on the scene and deployed his taser, testified that Jonathan was pacing erratically and said “Shoot me.” The dash cam video does not show Jonathan pacing erratically, nor saying “Shoot me.” The defense is taking the position that it happened before the dash cam was turned on. Randall Kerrick however, testified that he didn’t hear Jonathan say anything. A report on Little’s testimony is the first video below.

Justice for Jonathan Ferrell – Kerrick’s Trial – Prosecution Rests

Suspended without pay, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Randall (Wes) Kerrick is on trial for killing unarmed Jonathan Ferrell in September 2013. He is charged with voluntary manslaughter and if convicted, faces up to 11 years in prison.

Captain Mike Campagna

Yesterday, the prosecution rested with a powerful witness. Captain Mike Campagna of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department testified. Captain Campagna formerly handled training for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

Captain Campagna began his testimony by showing the jury how a taser works and when officers should and should not use it.

Justice for Jonathan Ferrell – Kerrick’s Trial Continues

Jonathan Ferrell

Check-in here for the latest up-dates to the Randall (Wes) Kerrick trial, the cop charged with voluntary manslaughter in the killing of Jonathan Ferrell .   Yahtzee did a fantastic job keeping us up-to-date last week.

There has been some controversy over the dash cam video that was shown to the jury last week.  We must keep in mind that the grand jury saw that video and indicted Kerrick.  If videos show that the officer had reason to open fire, then there would be no need for the officer to give a report that misrepresents what is seen on video.

Police Officer Randall Kerrick’s Trial

Yahtzee has been doing a great job keeping us up-to-date with jury selection and today’s proceeding in the trial of former police officer Randall (Wes) Kerrick.  Kerrick is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the killing of Jonathan Ferrell in September 2013.

Jonathan Ferrell

We will use this post to follow the trial. The court is not allowing live stream from the courtroom.  Some sources are releasing videos with portions of the trial at the end of each day’s proceeding.  WSOC-TV has a special section covering the trial.  There is a press room where reporters can observe the courtroom.

Jury Selection Begins In Trial of Randall Kerrick

Randall Kerrick, former officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg, N.C. police department, is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the killing of 24- year old Jonathan Ferrell.   The Root reports 5 things we need to know.

 

1. Jonathan Ferrell was unarmed and looking for help. Around 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 14, 2013, Ferrell’s car ran off the entrance road into a suburban neighborhood just 15 miles from downtown Charlotte and crashed into some trees. Authorities believe that immediately after the crash, Ferrell climbed out the car’s back window to seek help. He knocked on the door of a nearby home. A female homeowner answered the door, thinking it was her husband returning home from work. Upon seeing Ferrell, she closed the door and called 911.

$2.25 Million to the Family of Jonathan Ferrell

The City of Charlotte, North Carolina, has agreed to a settlement with the family of Jonathan Ferrell.

Jonathan Ferrell

Jonathan, a 24-year-old former football player at Florida A&M University, wrecked his Toyota Camry in a subdivision northwest of Charlotte sometime after 2 a.m. on Sept. 14, 2013. It is presumed that he went looking for help, as a woman called 911 and reported that someone was knocking and kicking on her door. Jonathan walked away from the house back to his car, and three officers showed up. One officer, Randall Kerrick, pulled his gun and fired 12 shots, 10 of which hit Ferrell. Most recently reported is that the other two officers, both Black, did not draw their weapons.

Georgia Ferrell, Jonathan’s mother, said that the family will now turn their attention to the voluntary manslaughter trial of officer Randall Kerrick. It is scheduled to being July 20, 2015.

Officer Who Killed Jonathan Ferrell Indicted For Voluntary Manslaughter

Jonathan Ferrell

In September 2013, 24-year old Jonathan Ferrell had a car accident.  After crashing his car into trees, Ferrell kicked out the back window of the vehicle and headed up a hill to the first set of houses he could see. He went to a house where the occupant called police reporting a breaking and entering.   When the police arrived, Ferrell had walked back to his car and was shot 10 times by Charlotte, NC officer Randall Kerrick.  Kerrick was arrested.