‘No Justice, No Peace’
Rev. Al Sharpton calls for justice in
officer-involved shooting
The Guardian-Journal photos/K.H.
Hightower
Above, the Rev. Al Sharpton speaks to
several hundred people gathered at Mayfield Park in Homer, Friday, April 10.
Below, marchers enter the park before Sharpton speaks.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
“No
justice, no peace.”
That
was the message the Rev. Al Sharpton and marchers carried like a mantle in a
rally at Mayfield Park in memory of the late Bernard Monroe Sr.
A
“March for Justice” was held where Homer Police, as well as Claiborne Parish
Sheriff’s deputies, visibly lined the streets of the route to provide security
for the demonstrators. Louisiana State Police escorted Sharpton to Homer and
provided additional security at the park as well as throughout Homer. Other
security measures were taken as well to ensure the safety of those attending
the rally.
“We’re
going to keep coming to Homer until we get justice. Until there’s justice for
Mr. Monroe, there’ll be no peace in Homer,” Sharpton said before a crowd of
hundreds of people.
Sharpton
said he came to Homer to speak for a man who couldn’t speak for himself any
longer.
Bernard
Monroe Sr., 73, was shot and killed Friday, February 20, by a Homer police
officer after he allegedly pointed a loaded handgun at two officers. Officers
were pursuing his son, Sean, and that pursuit ended in the elder Monroe’s front yard, where the shooting occurred.
“We
want some accountability,” said the Rev. Willie Young, president of the
Claiborne Parish NAACP. “How can you shoot a man that has not done anything
wrong?! I’m thankful for the state police, for the thorough investigation that
they’re doing. I want to say just one thing. This is not just a rehearsal. This
is serious, and if we are going to be a nation and a state of laws, we need
accountability.”
He said
he was glad to see the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department were in Homer to
investigate any possible civil rights violations, but again, he said, “someone
needs to be held accountable.”
Along
with members of the National Action Network, an organization in which Sharpton
is founder and president, the civil rights activist made it clear that he would
stand with Homer citizens to seek justice for Monroe, just as he did for the
six young men accused of nearly beating a fellow classmate to death in Jena in 2007.
“By the
time we got through, the whole world knew where Jena was,” Sharpton said. “When
I came to Jena in August 2007, it started out in a church with about 100 to 200
people. Within two months, we brought 30,000 people to Jena. Today, four times
that many (100 to 200) marched in Homer. If it becomes necessary, we’ll bring
four times 30,000 to Homer.
“To
shoot an unarmed man and put him on trial is a disgrace and a shame before God,
and against the law,” he said. “I want to be clear to the media. Blacks and
whites marched together today. We didn’t come to disrupt anything. We marched
in peace. We didn’t come to this city to start trouble; we came to this city to
stop trouble.”
Sharpton
also made it clear that they were not marching against police, that all police
are not bad. But, when police break the law, other police must stand up.
“The law
is the law,” he said. “Police are not above the law – they serve the law. If
you break the law, the law has to break you just like anybody else.”
He said
that his organization intends to stand with the Monroe family and fight until
justice is served. He encouraged the citizens to listen to their leadership,
and show respect. He encouraged citizens to do what’s right and stay out of
trouble. Walk with heads held high and “take care of the business of our
community,” he said.
Sharpton was also the guest speaker
of a special service held at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday.
The
shock of this tragedy has left no Homer citizen unaffected. Members of the
community have expressed outrage over Monroe’s death and are calling for
justice.
The
Louisiana State Police are currently wrapping up its investigation and
compiling reports. According to Troop G Spokesman Doug Pierrelee, the handgun Monroe was allegedly aiming at Homer officers has been traced back to its origin. He did
not say whether the gun was the elderly man’s possession or not.
The
U.S. Justice Department has been in Homer since shortly after the shooting to
help maintain peace in the community while the investigation continues. The FBI
has also been called in to investigate any alleged civil rights violations.
District
Attorney Jonathan Stewart, of the Second Judicial District, said once the
completed report was turned over to his office, he would determine whether to
call together a grand jury to decide if criminal charges are warranted.
Police
have still given no timeline as to when the investigation will come to a close,
but have indicated that reports will be complete soon.
ACLU investigates ‘racial profiling’
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Americans Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is now investigating alleged use of
“racial profiling” in Homer.
Police
Chief Russell Mills confirmed that booking information has been requested by
them, and Julie Thibodaux, education and outreach coordinator for the ACLU,
confirmed they’d received a request “from the Homer area to help with this
situation.” In an email received by The Guardian-Journal from Thibodaux, she
said the organization does not disclose its contacts.
Jim
Colvin, attorney for the Town of Homer, said he is compiling the information
requested by both the ACLU and The Shreveport Times.
According
to Thibodaux, the ACLU monitors “racial injustice issues” and “any policing
issues,” and they have “concerns of racial profiling in Homer.”
“We
became involved to raise awareness to the concerns in Homer,” she said in the
email, “and we are involved to bring any resources that may be helpful to the
police and the citizens.”
According
to records at the registrar of voters’ office, the majority of Homer’s
registered voters are black. Statistics show that Districts 1-5 have a
population of 1,282 black registered voters and 779 white registered voters.
There are 22 voters listed in the “other” category.
According
to statistics from Northwest Louisiana Prospector’s website, Homer’s total
population as of 2008 is 3,310. There are 1,958 black residents (59.2 percent)
and 1,318 white residents (39.8 percent).
According
to published reports, the ACLU investigated allegations in other parishes,
including one as close as Desoto Parish. Their reports indicate instances of
racial profiling, but authorities of those parishes say their findings are not
accurate because they didn’t have all the information needed to complete a
thorough investigation.
Racial
profiling, according to a report from ACLU called Unequal Under the Law, Racial
Profiling in Louisiana, “occurs whenever law enforcement targets someone based
on the color of their skin or their physical appearance—be it their race,
ethnicity or national origin. When police officers or security guards stop,
search, detain, or arrest an individual because of the way they look, that is
racial profiling.”
And by
the ACLU’s own admission, their findings were not 100 percent accurate because
of several factors, it said in the report.
“We
acknowledge that a direct comparison between the rate of arrest and the
representation in the population overall for each racial group does not take
into account several factors,” the report stated, “for example, if police
patrol certain areas more heavily than others, or certain groups of people
engage in criminal activity more than others, this could skew our findings.”
According
to the ACLU’s website, a letter from the organization was sent to Mills
demanding that he retract statements he allegedly made in a newspaper article
written in the Chicago Tribune in early March. After that article published,
Mills wrote a letter to the editor, published in this newspaper, denying the
statements as they were written. According to the letter to the editor, his
statements were misconstrued and taken out of context. (Please refer to the
March 19th edition of The Guardian-Journal, page 2.)
Once
the ACLU’s investigation is complete, Thibodaux said it will most likely issue
a statewide report, but it “will depend on the resources available in our office
at the time.”
Canadian awaits trial
The Guardian-Journal
The
Canadian man who burglarized Homer’s First Baptist Church in December 2008 is
now awaiting a trial date.
Shawn
Fries, 43, waived his preliminary exam, which means sufficient evidence during
discovery was turned over to Fries’ defense attorney. In other words, the
district attorney’s office has turned over everything necessary to continue
forward with Fries’ case.
Fries
was arrested by Homer police on December 18, 2008, after a church member reported several items and an undisclosed amount of cash missing from the church.
In the initial investigation, officers traced him to a local motel where he was
arrested and charged with simple burglary of a religious building and
possession of stolen things.
He was
arrested under the name of Christopher Weinbender of Canada. Police ran a
background check on the suspect, and all records showed a very light criminal
record.
Upon
further investigation, police discovered that Weinbender was in fact Shawn
Fries, a known sex offender in Canada. He had served four years in Canada for crimes against children, Canadian authorities said.
He was
also wanted in Ontario for a probation/parole violation.
Once
Fries goes to trial, if convicted, he will spend a minimum of two years in
prison. Once his time in the United States has been served, he will be
extradited back to Canada to face charges there.
Police imposter arrested again
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A man
who was charged with impersonating a police officer in Bienville Parish has
been charged with resisting by interfering in Homer.
Benny
Holyfield, 30, of Homer, was arrested Saturday, April 11, by Homer Police for
resisting an officer by intentional interference with a traffic stop. Bond was
set at $2,000.
According
to reports, Officers Steven Harbour initiated a traffic stop that afternoon for
a headlamp not working on the vehicle. After asking the driver to exit the
vehicle and gaining permission to search, McDaniel arrived on scene to assist
in the search. As the two officers began their search, a white truck was
observed passing them. The truck was recognized to be Holyfield’s.
Reports
say that another vehicle pulled up to the scene. The driver identified herself
as the mother of one of the passengers in the vehicle initially stopped.
Reports say she told officers that she’d received a call from Holyfield telling
her that her son was on the ground with “officers’ knees in his back.” For fear
that her son was being injured, she came to the scene.
No
citations were issued, but the driver was advised to have the headlamp fixed.
The mother and the other subjects returned to their vehicles and left the
scene.
A
warrant for Holyfield’s arrest was issued for resisting an officer by
intentional interference. He was booked at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and released on bond.
Holyfield
was charged with impersonating an officer in March after the Bienville Parish
Sheriff’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest. According to Bienville Parish
Sheriff John Ballance, Holyfield was stopped on February 20, by one of his
deputies for speeding, and when asked why he was going so fast, he told the
deputy there was a situation in Homer. Holyfield then told the deputy that he
was a reserve officer for the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office and that
dispatch had called all available officers to the scene.
He was
arrested for speeding and impersonating an officer. Arraignment on those
charges will be held May 5 in Bienville Parish.
In
other crime news, a 18-year-old Homer man has been arrested and charged with
simple battery.
Tracey
Willis, of Homer, was charged with simple battery with bond set at $1,000.
According
to reports, Willis physically abused the victim. Officers Van McDaniel, John
Bailey and Captain Donald Malray arrived on scene. The victim identified Willis
as he walked away from the scene. Officers caught up to him and arrested him
without incident. He was transported to the Homer police station for booking.
CPSB honors Athens basketball team
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
The Claiborne Parish School Board passed a resolution in honor of the Athens High School Basketball team after
coming in as runners up in the 2009 Class C Boys Basketball State Championship this year. Pictured from left are: Back row, from left: Keith Drake, Leroy
Hamilton Jr., Craig Roberson (principal), and Coach Marcus Jackson. Middle row,
from left: Chris Kimble, Bobby Tobin, Devarious Critton, Tyler Johnson, and
Mikadrian Shelton. Front row, from left: Willie Cato, Devarea Russell, Ervin
Sneed, Stancez Ferrell, Da’Courtney Harris and Jacobi Black.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Athens High School Boys Basketball team received a big honor from the Claiborne
Parish School Board at its regular monthly meeting held Thursday.
The
team as well as the coaches received “pats on the back” for their advancement
in the 2009 state championship. They advanced to the state finals becoming the
runner up in the 2009 Class C Boys Basketball State Championship.
A
resolution recognizing this honor and the accomplishments of the team and its
coaches was passed unanimously at the board meeting. The resolution recognized
their accomplishments “through the combined efforts of Coach Marcus Jackson,
the school administration and staff and the student body.”
“I had
the pleasure of watching these young men in Lafayette and at Athens High School to play basketball,” said Superintendent of Schools Wayne King. “I had the
pleasure of watching Coach Jackson and his staff, coach these young men. This
was a class act. They play hard and they leave in on the court.”
Turning
to the team who stood together in the meeting room, King said, “The
sportsmanship that you guys showed after the games, whether you won or whether
you lost, is a credit to you as young men. I am so very proud of every one of
you. Congratulations to you; you did a heck of a job representing Claiborne
Parish.”
District
6 Board Member Tommy Davidson thanked the team and its coaches for their hard
work and congratulated them on how well they represented Claiborne Parish.
“I want
to say that this shows the leadership of the coach – how the players act,” he
said. “He shows them the right way and that reflects on him well. I appreciate
how well he’s taught them not only the game of basketball but the game of
life.”
In
other news, the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) has received $600 per
student in financial assistance from the school board to attend the national
convention. Requests came in from Homer and Haynesville High Schools. That
motion was passed.
Lauren
White, a senior at Haynesville High School, was recognized even though she will
not be able to attend the national convention this year. She placed fourth in
job interview and second in accounting.
The
school board also approved to allow central office to advertise for legals,
which is something they must do every year. They also passed a motion to
approve summer school to teach driver’s education. The fee is $200 per student.
Personnel
actions were also approved. Effective March 11, former schools superintendent
James Scriber was hired at Summerfield as a teacher. Also, Vincent Smith is
filling a vacancy for a bus mechanic.
The
school board received its annual audit, which reported a “no qualified”
opinion. However, there were four findings the school board will have to work
on. There were four findings the auditor said didn’t look very good. They
include:
•
Inadequate control of financial reporting. The auditor said reports were late
and much of the accounting work still had not been done.
•
Expenditures in the general fund were greater than the budget.
• The
school activity fund also showed a deficit. Most of the problem lay in the
documentation of receipts in a timely manner.
• Also,
there was a problem with Title I funding, citing control over reimbursement
requests.
The
board voted by a roll call vote to meet in executive session to discuss the
audit. Once they rose out of executive session, the board voted to accept the
audit report.
In
other news, a date has been set to name a new superintendent for Claiborne
Parish. So far, the school board has only received three applicants. The school
board will interview all three applicants on Thursday, April 23 at 6 p.m. A special called meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 28 to name their
choice.
King
announced in January that he would be retiring at the end of his contract on
June 1.
The
board again met in executive session, as stated on the agenda, to discuss
pending litigation in two lawsuits. One suit, Patricia Jenkins versus the
Claiborne Parish School Board, claims the school board was negligent in its
maintenance of school property. According to the suit, Jenkins tripped and fell
on a walkway at Homer High School. It also claims that she sustained “serious, painful
and permanent bodily injuries.” The suit is asking the school board to pay
reasonable damages. Another suit, dealing with Haynesville Junior High School, alleges the school board was negligent in that the school did not have
adequate crossing guidance, “failure to have guards, signals and adult
supervision.”
The
plaintiff Lawanda Richardson, on behalf of her minor child, is suing for
damages after her child was hit by an automobile. She is suing the driver of
the vehicle that struck her child. Also included in the suit as a defendant are
two insurance companies.
The
school board rose out of executive session, saying nothing about what was
discussed and no action was taken.
The
next school board meeting will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 7, at the school
board central office. For more information, please call the school board office
at 927-3502.
National Day of Prayer May 7
The Guardian-Journal
Mayor David Newell signs a proclamation
declaring Thursday, May 7 National Day of Prayer. The event will be held on the
courthouse lawn for an evening of prayer and praise at 7 p.m. The event will be hosted by Trinity Southern Methodist Church. Pictured with Mayor Newell are
Mary Turner, Mary Francis Robinson, Claire Brown, Barbara Martin, Reverand R.B.
Moore, Ben Booth, Bro. Ed Franklin, Jim Norcross, Pastor John Markley, Bro.
Jimmy Simeon, Ruth James and B.J. Lowe.
Claiborne joins in celebration of
Victims of Crime Act
During
the week of April 26 through May 2, crime victims and those who serve them will
join together across America to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the passage
of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA).
This
landmark legislation established the crime victims fund, the only federal
program that funds services to help victims of all types of crimes. The fund is
comprised of fines and penalties assessed against convicted federal offenders –
not taxpayers’ dollars. As far back as 1982, President Ronald Reagan convened a
task force on victims of crime that held hearings around the nation to collect
suggestions from crime victims, victim service providers and criminal justice
professionals on ways to improve the treatment of crime victims in America. A few of the victims were quoted as saying:
“One
morning, I woke up, looked out my bedroom window and saw the man who had
assaulted me standing across the street staring at me. I thought he was in
jail.”
“Each
time after a continuance, I would sink back down in the hole. I spent two years
not knowing what was going to happen to me.”
“Why
didn’t anyone consult me? I was the one who was kidnapped, not the State of Virginia.”
“Are we
asking too much if we ask to be told when and where the trial will take place?”
Thanks
to LAVNS and the cooperation of all who participate in the criminal justice
system, victims are not asking too much. They receive the treatment they
deserve. LAVNS is the Louisiana Victim Notification System and is responsible
for Louisiana victims being able to feel more secure. LAVNS is a free service
that allows victims and other concerned citizens to confidentially register and
access information about the status of their offenders, 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, and provides automated telephone or email notification of key
activities related to their case. Through this program, victims can feel a true
sense of security and justice by staying informed about their case.
Since
its beginning 25 years ago, more than $9 billion has been deposited in the fund
nationwide and Louisiana has received a portion of this for victim assistance
grants and crime victim compensation grants. The theme of 2009 National Crime
Victims’ Rights Week is “25 Years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims
of Crime Act.”
VOCA
has helped create programs and services that assist victims of domestic
violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child and elder abuse, drunk
driving, identity theft, as well as surviving family members of homicide
victims. All of these people deserve a voice in what has happened to them. It
is our responsibility to give them a platform to be heard.
Join
the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office in honoring victims of crime for their
courage and strength. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a
violent crime, please contact Deputy Donna McCarty at 318-927-9800. You are not
alone. There are people who care.
Accident sends 3 to hospital
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle
Bates
On Thursday, April 9, the Homer Police
Department was dispatched to an accident in front of Claiborne Place Apartments
on Hwy. 9 in Homer. According to officers at the scene, both vehicles were
headed east on Hwy. 9 when it looked like the driver of this Cadillac,
identified as Vicki Crew of Homer, pictured right, was going to turn into
Claiborne Place Apartments. Instead, she attempted to turn left on Jessie T. Jones Street. The driver of the truck, Dan Webb of El Dorado, Ark., was going to
go around her at the same time, side-swiping the car. All three passengers in
the vehicle were transported to Homer Memorial Hospital by Pafford Ambulance
with injuries. No life-threatening injuries reported. No citations were issued
to Crew, but Webb was cited for improper passing. He attempted to pass her in a
no-passing zone.
Fire engulfs Memphis Street home
Picture: Memphis Street fire picture
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
On Tuesday evening, April 14, the Homer
Fire Department was dispatched to 1302 Memphis Street to put out this fire,
pictured above. Homer Fire Chief Dennis Butcher said the fire started in a back
bedroom of the home. As of press time, the cause of the fire is unknown. No
injuries were reported. The Homer Police Department assisted at the scene, and
Pafford Ambulance Service was on scene to provide care for any possible
injuries related to the fire.
Haynesville son returns home
Haynesville’s
own native son returns to his roots.
Bobby
Rush will be in Haynesville Friday, May 29 for the Haynesville Music Festival.
The festival will be held at the Haynesville Fairgrounds, beginning at 5 p.m. Come and enjoy great local talent featuring blues, hip-hop, gospel blue grass and
folk.
For
tickets, they are$2 for children Pre-K through 12th grade ($1 if accompanied by
an adult); adults $10 and toddlers are free.
His
concert will begin at 7 p.m.
For
more information, please contact Haynesville City Hall at 624-0911.
