Friday, July 17, 2015

Police murder in Stonewall?

Attorney Chokwe Antar Lumumba claimed an autopsy shows that a police officer in Stonewall choked a man to death.  The Clarion-Ledger reported:

An attorney for the family of Jonathan Sanders says an autopsy shows he died from strangulation on July 8 during a physical encounter with a Stonewall police officer.

Chokwe Antar Lumumba said Thursday that he was present when multiple law enforcement agencies briefed Sanders’ family members Tuesday, telling them that he died from “manual asphyxiation” and that the death was a homicide.

“The preliminary autopsy in the death of Jonathan Sanders determined that the cause of death was manual asphyxiation. Eyewitnesses report having seen Officer Kevin Herrington choking Jonathan Sanders continuously for over 20 minutes,” a release from Lumumba and Associates stated. “The preliminary autopsy report determined that the manner of death was homicide. The community and the attorneys for Jonathan Sanders feel that this is enough to establish probable cause exists with which to indict Officer Herrington.”

Sanders, a black man, was driving a horse and buggy in the town before the 25-year-old Herrington, who is white, stopped him in a residential neighborhood. Lumumba said relatives believe Herrington is at fault in Sanders’ death.

Lumumba said Herrington was behind Sanders. When Herrington turned on the blue lights on his cruiser, it startled the horse, who reared and threw Sanders out of his buggy. He said Sanders went after the horse, which is when Herrington allegedly grabbed Sanders from behind and threw him to the ground.

Sanders allegedly said twice, “I can’t breathe,” and another witness told the officer that Sanders couldn’t breathe, his arms weren’t moving and the grass was too high. Lumumba and associate C.J. Lawrence said one of the three eyewitnesses works in law enforcement. Rest of article.

Kingfish note: If the cop indeed murdered Sanders by choking him to death;  then indict, prosecute, and convict him.  JJ's sentence recommendation: Death in the same manner as that of the victim. 

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've read various stories of this. The initial report said the officer choked him to death with a flashlight. Then I read somewhere that the horsemans head lamp came down around his neck during the arrest and that's what choked him. Hopefully all parties remain calm and allow the facts to come out. Mississippi doesn't need to be the next Baltimore.

Why did the Clarion ledger identify the witnesses? Is that normal protocol? Seems like that could put their safety in jeopardy, which could effect their testimony.

Let It Roll Out said...

If the investigation proves the policeman to be guilty, I'm sure we all want him prosecuted to the full extent of the law. No reason to be posturing and 'taking sides' and bristling up. Guilty is guilty. Not guilty is not guilty.

Anonymous said...

Little Chucky ringing that cash register

Anonymous said...

Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, Stonewall will now be safer with this habitual drug dealer off of the streets for good.

Anonymous said...

The rent a mob that has been parading around the Country is en-route to Stonewall, Mississippi.

Anonymous said...

I agree that if the officer did not have justification to do what he did, then he should be charged and convicted. I'm not disputing that wrong is wrong. But let the investigation be concluded and we get all the facts before we pass judgment.

That said, I respectfully have two problems with Mr Lumumba's statement. One, the autopsy report showed the cause of death was "manual asphyxiation", i.e. choking, which we already knew was the cause of death. But in Mr Lumumba's statement he went as far as to say the autopsy report found the cause of death to be "homicide". No, it didn't. It said it was manual asphyxiation. Big difference. Homicide is the "deliberate and unlawful killing of another". We don't know yet whether the officer's use of this force was unlawful or justified. Regardless, the autopsy report did not say this was "homicide".

Two, I see that Mr Lumumba's firm represents both the family....and the witnesses. Isn't that a conflict or at least a little questionable ? Why do the witnesses need an attorney ? I've been practicing law for over 20 years now, and only once in my practice has a witness ever had his/her own attorney, and in that instance, it was because the witness had possible liability too. None of the supposed witnesses to this incident have any liability here, so why do they need an attorney, and if they do, is it proper that it be the same attorney representing the family ? It seems to bring their credibility into question, and if I was the family or representing the family, I would not want that.

Again, I'm not saying the officer is innocent or guilty. Just trying to weigh what little proof that has been released.

Joseph said...

I'm curious about the claim of of the officer having choked the deceased for 20 minutes. That's quite a long time to be involved in choking somebody, and I was under the impression it didn't take nearly that long for somebody to die from choking. Guess we'll find out eventually.

Anonymous said...

10:12: All autopsy reports say either "homicide, accidental, natural, or undetermined" as far as cause of death is concerned. The autopsy report in this case apparently did say the death was the result of a "homicide". BUT when using the term "homicide" in an autopsy report it does not mean the legal term "homicide" to which you refer. In other words, using "homicide" in the autopsy report does not make the death a "murder". Any forensic pathologist will quickly advise you of that.

Anonymous said...

Is this a white on black, black on black, black on white or white on white situation? It does make a difference, you know.

Anonymous said...

People do not follow the commands of law enforcement officer nowadays. Black want a confrontation. It get press, payouts, and attention.

Anonymous said...

We have judges, juries, and trials to bring justice. No need to burn down any buildings in Stonewall. They don't have a large supply to begin with.

Anonymous said...

11:05, right you are. the purpose of an "autopsy" is to determine the cause and manner of death, not to determine criminal liability of any particular person. for instance, when someone is legally executed, it is a "homicide". homicide simply means the killing of a human being. the attorney was completely accurate in his comment.

Anonymous said...

1:56: I must've stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Anonymous said...

"Two, I see that Mr Lumumba's firm represents both the family....and the witnesses. Isn't that a conflict or at least a little questionable ? Why do the witnesses need an attorney ?"

I suspect the "witnesses" want a taste of whatever payout the family gets, and the lawyer is coordinating things so they get their stories straight to ensure that payout comes.

Anonymous said...

Oh you know it's the new bullshit. If Lumumba's clown group is involved. Pulling the race card bullshit... "I can't breath" Really??? how are you speaking? This shit is getting old!! Cut the crap.. People want a war? Start with the Lib Democraps!!! Your morons understand the KKK were democraps?? Still are!!!

Cbalducc said...

If there is a settlement, where will the money come from? Stonewall is not a wealthy town.



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