Investigation continues in police
shooting
FBI investigating alleged civil rights
violations
The Guardian-Journal photo/K.H. Hightower
The Rev. Willie Young, president of the
Claiborne Parish chapter of the NAACP, spoke to a packed house at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Wednesday night. He called for peace during this
difficult time, asking the community to commit no violence.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
investigation into the officer-involved shooting death of an elderly Homer man
is back on track following alleged delays by attorneys.
Bernard
Monroe Sr., 73, died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds Friday, February
20, after he allegedly engaged two Homer Police Officers who were attempting to
arrest a suspect in his front yard.
The
alleged delays were released by state police on Thursday, February 26, but when
word got out that witnesses were not talking, members of the Claiborne Parish
chapter of the NAACP called for action.
“The
State Police Bureau of Investigations is experiencing a delay in the
investigative process due to an attorney’s attempts to allegedly persuade all
witnesses and family members who witnessed the event to avoid giving any
statement of what they saw to investigators,” Thursday’s press release said.
A later
press release by the state police stated that witnesses were beginning to
cooperate again. Pierrelee said investigators spent extra time with the
community clarifying their role as investigators.
“The
choice of remaining patient while continuing other elements of the
investigation is being rewarded,” Troop G spokesman Doug Pierrelee said, “as
LSP investigators are experiencing increased trust and voluntary contact from
those who claim to have witnessed parts of the incident.”
The NAACP
At a
candlelight vigil and march held in honor of the Monroe family, Fred Young,
NAACP member, called for citizens to cooperate with police.
“We
want justice,” he said.
At
Wednesday’s meeting of the NAACP, President Willie Young said the organization
had launched its own investigation into the incident. He went so far as to tell
KTBS Channel 3 that they had “depositions.”
NAACP
Communications Director Terry Willis said when he contacted Young for
clarification of his use of the word “deposition,” Young replied “he doesn’t
want to try this case in the media.”
By
definition, a deposition is a tool used during pre-trial discovery in which a
witness is questioned under oath with a court reporter present who transcribes
every word said. Depositions often take place in an attorney’s office. A
witness statement, by contrast, is a statement given by a person under oath at
a deposition or trial.
Who’s Talking
Thursday’s
press release continued by saying that the investigation is continuing its
“search of any eyewitnesses to the shooting…”
“Troopers
have had very little success in collecting statements from citizens to talk
about the shooting,” the press release continued. “According to one of the
citizens, they had been advised by the family not to discuss the incident with
investigators at the advice of the family’s attorney. Citizens’ refusal to talk
to investigators has proven detrimental to the investigation.”
The
family’s attorney is allegedly in the process of a civil liability
investigation. Civil liability, by legal definition, is “potential
responsibility for payment of damages or other court-enforcement in a lawsuit,
as distinguished from criminal liability, which means open to punishment for a
crime.”
During the
NAACP meeting, held at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Young said that as
soon as he got the call that something had happened, he sent Terry Willis
(Claiborne Parish School Board member) and Fred Young, both members of the
Claiborne chapter of the NAACP, to the scene to be with the family and “secure
the witnesses.”
“And
make sure that you watch the PD,” Willie Young added. “They (T. Willis, F.
Young) arrived and made an assessment of the scene and they spoke to citizens
and they spoke to eyewitnesses. They assured the community that justice would
prevail.”
List of Demands
Willis,
on behalf of the Monroe family, the NAACP, and members of the community, made a
list of demands of the city council, the police department and other outside
agencies.
They
include:
•
Calling on District Attorney Jonathan Stewart to call for a grand jury to
review existing evidence that already supports the charges against the officers
that are involved.
• Wants
the district attorney to be sensitive to the community about the timely
reviewing of all aspects of this case and to accept no delays from the state
police.
• Wants
Homer Mayor David Newell and the town council to issue an apology to the
community for the lack of control over the behavior of Homer police officers.
“In
this case, there were no drugs, no weapons, and it’s unacceptable to allow such
behavior to continue,” Young said.
• The
NAACP has asked the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to come and review
all aspects of this “horrendous” incident. Young said he spoke with a
Shreveport FBI agent and the agent assured him that he would come to Claiborne
Parish to investigate this case. Steven Hall, resident agent in charge, has
confirmed that the NAACP has contacted them, and said they are investigating
any alleged violation of Monroe’s civil rights. The results of this
investigation will be impartial, no matter the outcome, he said.
“The
FBI takes civil rights matters very seriously and we are opening an
investigation into this matter to investigate the allegations and get to the
facts of this case,” Hall said.
• Young
has prepared a letter to the United States Department of Justice and asked them
to review all aspects of this case, “because we believe this injustice was a
clear violation of Mr. Monroe’s civil rights.”
• He
has invited the national office of the NAACP to come and share, but he said he
believed it was time for the Claiborne chapter to stand up.
• At
March’s monthly meeting, the NAACP will be requesting by resolution that the
Homer Town Council approve two matters for them: 1) Have the council request
the FBI to immediately come aboard and monitor and review the ongoing state of
the investigation; 2) Formally ask the Louisiana Attorney General to review the
qualifications of all officers on the Homer police force.
• The
NAACP, ministers and members of the community are going on record to express
their displeasure with the chief of police.
Next Meeting
Young
also expressed great displeasure at the fact the town council meeting had been
postponed, because right now, the mayor and the council are needed. He
indicated that it wasn’t right for the meeting to have been moved.
If
Homer was under the Lawrason Act, the mayor would not have the authority to
move the date of a council meeting without the approval of the council. But
because Homer is under what is called a “special legislative charter,” the
mayor does have that authority.
Although
the meeting has been postponed, Mayor David Newell released a statement saying
he expects “full cooperation from all town departments and the citizens of our
town.”
“I am
saddened by the loss of Mr. Monroe, a long-time citizen of Homer,” Newell said.
“It is a tragedy that impacts many of us.”
He,
along with many in the community, including the NAACP, are asking for peace, justice
and no violence.
“I pray
that no citizens will act out of malice causing more harm and discord and that
God will give peace to the families involved,” the mayor continued.
Young said the NAACP is calling
“most of all” for justice, but added the need for peace in the community.
“We
need to come together as a community and stop fighting each other,” he said.
“It’s time to lay down the guns, the knives and the dope. It’s time for us to
stand up and move.”
U.S. Justice Department meets with NAACP
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
It has
been confirmed that the Claiborne Parish Chapter of the NAACP met at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church on Monday night.
According
to NAACP member and communications director Terry Willis, the organization met
with an assessment team from the U.S. Department of Justice requesting they
look into alleged violations of civil rights in regards to the shooting death
of Bernard Monroe Sr. of Homer.
Monroe, 73, died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds Friday,
February 20, after he allegedly engaged two Homer Police Officers who were
attempting to arrest a suspect in his front yard.
“They
have been notified, and we have requested in writing, and verbal, an
investigation as far as a violation of civil rights,” Willis said. “They said
they would relay our message.”
He did
not say much more about what was discussed in the approximate two hour meeting,
and phone calls to the U.S. Department of Justice for comment were not returned
as of press time. Donald Washington, U.S. Attorney for the Western District,
was out of town.
“This
organization only is asking for a fair and just investigation,” Willis said.
“That’s all. There’s a lot of information that was not credible at the onset.”
When
asked to explain how Monroe’s civil rights were allegedly violated, he
indicated that Monroe had a right to own a gun.
“The
question is, ‘Did he have a firearm in his possession?’ is one thing,” he said,
“Owning a gun is completely another. The first initial statement was that there
were two black males as far as drugs were concerned. One was arrested; the
other one fled the scene. That’s where all the discrepancies came in. After the
state police came in and later said that there were no arrests made, there was
no other black male – it was like the wheels were set in motion to cover
something up.
“You
have credible eyewitnesses saying that they did not see Mr. Monroe with a gun,”
he continued. “These eyewitnesses are not dope heads or anybody else.”
Willis
said Monroe was shot and killed in front of his grandchildren – small children.
He indicated that the parents of these children are staying up at night with
them.
According
to Willis, no law enforcement agent spoke with eyewitnesses at the scene that
night because tensions were high enough that a riot was developing.
“The
state police have handled this well,” Willis said. “They instantly began
building a report and trust with these people.”
It was
reported that an informal meeting would be held Monday, March 2, with council
members to address the concerns of the public in regards Monroe’s death. That
meeting was cancelled.
Willis
indicated that the whole purpose of the meeting was to pass some resolutions to
request that the FBI come in and review the credentials and certifications of
all the Homer police officers. But, because there was some confusion as to
whether it was legal to hold the meeting, and the fact the meeting was not
posted within 24 hours of the meeting date, council members decided at the last
minute to cancel.
“They
(council members) called us back and said that there was not going to be a
meeting,” Willis said.
According
to municipal law, the mayor did have the authority to postpone the meeting to
the following Monday, as according to the town’s special legislative charter,
and the council members did have the right to hold the meeting as long as it
was informal and no decisions were made or any motions or resolutions passed.
Under
the Lawrason Act, of which most small towns are run, the mayor would not have
had the authority to move the meeting without council approval. It would have
also been illegal for the council members to gather without posting it.
However,
the regularly scheduled meeting for the Town of Homer will be held as stated in
last week’s edition of The Guardian-Journal: March 9, at 6 p.m. in council chambers, located at the Homer police station.
Vigil, march honors Monroe family
Community prays for peace, justice
The Guardian-Journal photos/K.H.
Hightower and Michelle Bates
Members of the community, family and
friends of the late Bernard Monroe Sr. gathered at the Courthouse Square Friday
night to honor the Monroe family and pray for peace and justice. The victim,
age 73, was laid to rest at Shiloh Cemetery in Homer Saturday. These community
members showed their support for the Monroe family in their time of need.
Despite the threat of rain, candles shown bright at the Courthouse Square in
Homer Friday night.
Schools locked down after threat
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
All
schools in Claiborne Parish were locked down Friday afternoon after the school
board received a threatening phone call.
At
approximately 12:30 p.m., Homer Police Chief Russell Mills said the school
board received a call from someone believed to be a young male stating “he was
in the process of loading a gun and coming to the school.”
All law
enforcement agencies in the parish converged on every school stopping every
vehicle coming into the schools. Only parents were allowed to come in and pick
up their children, and those parents had to produce identification before
police allowed them to enter.
Superintendent
Wayne King said the caller did not specify which school he was going to, so in
response, all schools in Claiborne Parish were locked down. When asked if it
was a prank caller, he said threats of this nature were taken very seriously.
“We
can’t assume anything,” he said. “We have to take it for what it is and follow
procedure. We did the safest thing that we could do at the time. The safety of
the children and our personnel was the first priority.”
The
lockdown was more of a precaution than anything, he said.
According
to Mike Blackwelder, attendance supervisor for the school board, each school
has a crisis management plan and it addresses anything from threatening phone
calls to chemical spills. Every school’s crisis management is a little
different to fit the needs of that particular school.
“In
general, most of the requirements are the same, but every school’s is a little
different,” Blackwelder said. “Our crisis plans are a continually evolving
project. We improve as we see the needs arise.”
Law
enforcement met with school officials Tuesday morning in an effort to devise a
response plan that would help the schools’ crisis management plans more
efficient.
In a
lockdown situation, no matter the cause, the principal will send a message to
all the teachers to let them know that a situation has arisen and to lock their
doors and windows, Blackwelder said. Students are not allowed to leave the
classroom under any circumstances until teachers are told otherwise. Usually,
the school will have a code of some type that alerts teachers to what they need
to do and to wait for further instruction.
King
praised area law enforcement for their response time and cooperation.
“We
will turn over every stone to find out who did this,” King said, adding that
his office will be cooperating with police during their investigation.
Mills
said the investigation is still ongoing and they are working in conjunction
with the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO). CPSO is working with the
police departments because all the schools in the parish were locked down.
“The
situation went as well as could be expected,” the police chief said. “Thank God
there were no incidents. The parents were calm, the children were calm and it went
as smooth as could be expected in a situation like this.”
Three arrested on alcohol related
charges
The Guardian-Journal
A
traffic stop in Homer led to the arrest of three people last Saturday.
On
February 28, Magalene Ford, 45, of Homer, was arrested and charged with DWI
first, resisting an officer and disturbing the peace.
Detyson
Smith, 24, of Homer, was arrested and charged with open container, disturbing
the peace and resisting an officer with force or violence.
Donald
Grider was arrested and charged with open container and disturbing the peace.
According
to police reports, Homer Police Officer Van McDaniel observed a vehicle pull
into a handicapped parking space at a local convenience store. He then
initiated a traffic stop, at which time he encountered the driver of the
vehicle, identified as Grider. At the same time, the passenger of the vehicle,
identified as Smith, had exited the vehicle and entered the store.
While
speaking with Grider, McDaniel observed open containers with what appeared to
be alcohol inside the vehicle. The officer asked Grider to exit the vehicle at
which point a search was conducted with Grider’s consent. When Smith arrived
back at the vehicle, the reason for the search was explained at which point
Smith became upset, but said he would accept the citation and be on his way.
Grider
then became upset when he received a citation for open container, reportedly
yelling at McDaniel. He was then charged with disturbing the peace. At this
point, Smith allegedly placed his hands on the officer attempting to force him
away from Grider.
Officer
Mario Thomas had arrived on scene during the altercation, and both subjects
were placed in separate patrol units.
While
initial citations were being completed, Ford was observed pulling up to the
scene and asked for an explanation. McDaniel began to explain the situation at
which point Ford continued to “yell” obscenities at the officer, at which point
McDaniel asked her to leave the scene. She refused. She was allegedly given
several more verbal commands to leave and again she refused.
Captain
Donald Malray and Officer Steve Harbour was called to the scene to assist,
because Ford had gone inside the store and the situation was not improving.
According
to reports, the odor of alcohol was allegedly detected on her person during the
altercation with police.
Ford
was arrested and transported to the Homer Police Department where she was read
her rights and given a breathalyzer test. She was then charged with DWI first
and the other charges listed above.
A Lion for 60 years
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Lion Pete Pearson was honored by Lions
Club International last week for his 60-plus year service to not only the Lions
Club, but to his community. He received a pin and a letter of recognition.
Qualifying closed for Athens election
The Guardian-Journal
Qualifying
for the two aldermen positions in Athens has been closed – and three people
will now be on the ballot for the April 4 election.
Those
to be on the ballot are: Ann Brown, Prentis B. Washington and Ardis L. Willhite
Jr.
Willhite
qualified during the first qualifying period unopposed for one seat, and Brown
and Washington will be vying for the remaining at large alderman seat. Both
seats open on Athens’ board of aldermen are at large seats, of which one has
been filled unopposed by Willhite.
During
the first qualifying period from February 11-13, only one person qualified for
an alderman seat. All three candidates running have no party affiliations.
Haynesville
Mayor Sherman Brown will see four more years as the town’s mayor as he
qualified unopposed.
Haynesville
Chief of Police Anthony Smith will also be unopposed. All districts in
Haynesville will run unopposed except Districts 1 and 3. District 1 Councilman
Dump Hatter has an opponent – Valinda “Faye” Webb. Incumbent District 3
Councilwoman Joyce Major will be running against Barbara Beene “Net” Torrence.
District
2 Councilman Herbert Taylor, District 4 Councilman Brian Bogle and District 5
Councilwoman Carla Smith, are all unopposed.
Corney Lake to be drawn down in September
The
Caney Ranger District of the Kisatchie National Forest will be drawing down Corney Lake, north of Summerfield, Louisiana, begining September 8, 2009 through February, 2010.
The
proposed action will aid in mitigating the current levels of invasive aquatic
vegetation. Drawing down the lake during the proposed dates will ensure the
lake is drawn down during a timeframe to be most effective in controlling the
aquatic weeds that are currently overtaking the lake. Drawdowns also benefit
the fisheries resource and help to ensure healthy fish populations.
If you
wish to provide comments in writing to: District Ranger, Alvin Womack, Caney
Ranger District, Kisatchie National Forest, 3288 Hwy 79, Homer, LA 71040.
Individuals
wishing to submit comments by telephone or who wish to receive additional
information may do so by contacting James Williams, project leader at
318-927-2061. Please respond with all comments regarding the proposed action
by July 31, 2009.
Delta displays artwork by area students
The Guardian-Journal photo/Jenni Williams
Art students of Jeri Dettenheim, pictured
left, will be displaying their depictions of pears and apples in the foyer of
Delta Interiors for the entire month of March. Each of the four full-time
students have two pieces each and a single pastel painted by all six of the
students. The collage of art will be up for auction to the highest bidder to be
given away the first week of April. Bids need to be placed at Delta Interiors
as soon as possible. Pictured above with Dettenheim is Delta Interiors owner,
Martha Peters.
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
Art
students of Jeri Dettenheim will be displaying their depictions of pears and
apples in the foyer of Delta Interiors for the entire month of March. The
pastels were painted by the four full-time students.
Dettenheim,
a native of Homer, has taken fine and commercial art classes from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston and the Art Institute of Dallas. After many years away,
she has returned to the area to share her knowledge to the bright minds of her
students.
The art
students began their education just months ago by using charcoals and have
graduated to the use of pastels before being able to graduate to different
mixed mediums.
Dettenheim
likes to get the students comfortable with the charcoals and pastels before
moving to oils and other mediums. This takes about a year.
“The
pastels make a good learning tool because they are easy for any student,”
Dettenheim said. The students need to learn techniques and design before moving
to more difficult projects.
Dettenheim’s
original student is 10-year-old MacKenzie Surovik. She is a fourth-grade
student at Claiborne Academy and is the daughter of Robby and Leslie Surovik,
all of Haynesville.
“MacKenzie
has been with me from the beginning, she’s my guinea pig, but we’ve learned
together,” Dettenheim said about her first student. Surovik, who has worked
with Dettenheim for more than a year, has placed in local and state fairs with
her work.
Also
appearing in the art show are Aidan Roberts, Dustin Adams, Jolie Allen,
full-time students and mother-daughter duo, 15-year-old Maryanne and mom, Lori
Grey, part-time students.
Roberts
is a third-grade student at Claiborne Academy and is the nine-year-old son of
Andy and Tonya Roberts of Lisbon.
Adams is the youngest member at just eight years old. He is
the son of Jason and Tina Adams of Homer and is a second-grade student at Homer Elementary School.
Allen
is the daughter of Michael and Shelley Allen of Homer and is a fourth grade
student at Claiborne Academy. She is 10-years-old.
The
Grey duo is from Haynesville, where Maryanne attends Haynesville High School. While not showing pastels with the other students, the two Greys participated in
the framed pastel to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
The
pastel, a series of six paintings that make up a whole, is also on display at
Delta Interiors and may be bid upon by anyone interested in helping the
students to raise funds for future art projects.
These
works of art will only be on display at Delta through the end of March. Stop
by and show these young people your support. You won’t be disappointed.
The
students will also have artwork on display at the annual Claiborne Jubilee that
is held on the town square in the spring.
Dettenheim
currently has one more opening for a fulltime art student. If interested, call
The Art Studio at (318)927-4254.
Dettenhiem
said, “I hope for Homer to one day have an art gallery.”
