Gun in police shooting sent off for
analysis
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The gun
alleged to be in the possession of a Homer elderly man shot and killed by
police has been sent off for fingerprint and DNA analysis.
That’s
according to the latest information released by Louisiana State Police.
Bernard
Monroe Sr., 73, was shot and killed Friday, February 20, after allegedly
engaging two police officers with a loaded pistol.
Because
the investigation is still ongoing, details released to the public have been
limited due to the sensitive nature of the case.
Also,
the entire incident was “reenacted” on Monday, March 9, the press release said.
“What
we are actually doing is placing people and objects in locations they were
‘alleged’ to be at the time of the shooting,” said Troop G Spokesman Doug
Pierrelee. “I’m labeling it a reenactment just for explanation purposes. Other
reenacted elements of the incident are being documented to aid in the
clarification of eyewitness perspectives and for establishing a timeline to be
presented along with the reenacted documentation.”
Pierrelee
expressed his thanks on behalf of investigators for the community’s cooperation
in what has been a shocking tragedy. With misinformation flying from all
corners, investigators had a tough time getting witnesses to cooperate. An
attorney that was hired to represent the Monroe family, according to earlier
state police press releases, had allegedly advised the Monroe family not to
talk to investigators. That attorney has since been let go.
“We had
a little bit of a rocky start during the first few days of this investigation,”
Pierrelee said, “but by simply acknowledging what is obviously a devastating
experience for those involved, we are gaining the trust of this great
community. Again, we are thankful for the trust given to us to serve this
community.”
In a
separate interview with The Guardian-Journal, Mills expressed sympathy and
compassion for the Monroe family and the community, saying it was a shock to
everyone.
He said
he wants closure for the Monroe family and for his department.
“I want the (state police) to
use every resource that they have to investigate this,” he said. “I want them
to be methodical, and I want them to bring it to end. It’s a misfortune for any
loss of life, and it’s a loss to the whole community. It’s going to take time
to heal – for the family, the officers, the community as a whole.”
To
borrow a term from Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, Mills said the
atmosphere at the police department the last few weeks has been “busy, but
quiet.”
The
Claiborne Parish Chapter of the NAACP has also launched its own investigation
into the incident and has enlisted the assistance of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation to investigate Monroe’s alleged civil rights violations. Also,
the U.S. Justice Department has met with the Monroe family as well as members
of the NAACP to assist in the organization’s investigation.
Currently,
the Justice Department has sent representatives from its Community Relations
branch to help keep the peace while state police continue its investigation.
A
timeline as to the completion of the investigation has not been given, but
Pierrelee said state police will exhaust the “investigatory” process before
submitting it as complete to a grand jury.
Homer council accepts NAACP resolution
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
resolution authored by the Claiborne Parish NAACP requesting two actions from
the Homer Town Council was recognized at Monday’s regular meeting.
The
resolution called for the town council to ask for the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) to oversee the investigation by the Louisiana State Police
into the death of Bernard Monroe Sr., who was shot and killed after allegedly
engaging two Homer Police officers with a loaded pistol in February.
Steven
Hall, agent in charge for the FBI’s Shreveport Field Office, did confirm in
last week’s edition of The Guardian-Journal that they were contacted by the
NAACP and are looking into Monroe’s alleged civil rights violations.
The
resolution also calls for the Louisiana State Attorney General’s Office (the
U.S. Justice Department) to review the credentials and qualifications of all
“law enforcement officers employed by the Homer City Council.”
The
resolution also accuses the Homer Police Department of “discriminatory and
predatory behavior.”
District
3 Councilman Toney Johnson had some concerns about future liability or lawsuits
that might stem from the passage of this resolution. Town Attorney Jim Colvin
assured the council that there would be no legal repercussion from the
resolution because it came from another organization and not the town council.
“All
we’re doing is authorizing the acceptance and the acknowledgement of this
submission,” Colvin said. “I think that we can all agree that there is an
active investigation going on by the police and these two other bodies. The
acceptance of this resolution does not, in any way, create any type of legal
issue to the town. It’s a resolution by another organization.”
To be
clear, the passage of this resolution does not mean it reflects any opinions of
the town council. In fact, the council has no opinion on this issue. This
resolution was passed by the NAACP, not the council. The council just
acknowledged receipt of the resolution.
“We’re
not saying that we’re asking as a town that the FBI assist in this
investigation,” Colvin said. “The resolution is not legally binding on us in
any way. We made a motion to acknowledge the receipt of this resolution.”
Two
representatives of the U.S. Justice Department attended the meeting – Carmelita
Pope Freeman, regional director of the Community Relations Service; and Mike
Campbell, a law enforcement coordinator.
Although
neither party could speak specifically about the circumstances of Monroe’s death nor the unrest community members have experienced since the shooting,
Freeman thanked the council for “agreeing to the benefit of their services.”
“We are
an organization that is the only one of its kind,” she said. “Our job is to
help you maintain peace while the investigation process is going through.”
A
community forum has been set for Friday, March 13, at 6 p.m. at Homer City Hall in order to give the community an opportunity to voice their concerns as
well as offer any viable solutions to the root causes of community relations
with police. All concerned citizens are encouraged to attend.
“Once
we hear what your needs, issues and concerns are, my agency supports how to
make that happen,” Freeman continued. “Usually when incidents like this happen,
there’s always a root cause, and those things usually rise to the top when we
have those type forums.”
During
the public comment portion of the meeting, a couple of citizens spoke up to
offer solutions to the problem – what the community wants for their neighborhoods.
Citizens
voiced their concern about what police are doing to help deter the issues they
are dealing with. What are police doing to teach kids what’s right? Holyfield
said that there were more in the community living upstanding lives than ones
who are not. His neighbors are afraid to do anything for fear of harassment
from police, he said.
“There
has to be a better way to make contact with people,” he said. “Every contact
with a citizen does not have to be harassment or an arrest. Talk to people.
That’s what we need.”
Holyfield
brought up another issue, saying that situations like Monroe’s death could be
prevented in the future, especially at night. Citing the style and color of
Homer’s police uniforms, he said, it’s hard for citizens to recognize them as
police.
Police
Chief Russell Mills countered that all Homer Police patrol units are marked
cars, making them easily recognizable.
“Patrol
cars are marked, and the officers are in uniform,” he said. “They have ‘police’
on the back and it has a badge and it’s got their name.”
Georgia
Norton, sister-in-law of Bernard Monroe, also offered a solution to help ease
tensions between the black community and the local police stating that a
rapport needed to be built between the neighborhoods and the police.
Communication is the key, she said.
“Get to
know your community,” she said. “That doesn’t cost a thing. You don’t have to
have money to make yourself familiar with the community and with the children.
We love our children and we care about our kids and our community, just like
everybody else.”
Claiborne
Parish NAACP President Willie Young spoke up later saying, “We want to be able
to have faith in our law enforcement.”
Others
offered solutions in the way of recreation. It has been a longstanding issue
with Homer citizens that kids do not have enough recreation to occupy their
time. What recreational programs – other than baseball and softball – are being
offered? None, really.
Homer
Mayor David Newell brought up the fact that a parish-wide recreations district
was formed a little more than a year ago and these issues are being discussed,
but it’s a long term project.
At
least $60,000 has been allotted in this year’s town budget for recreation, but
that money is earmarked for recreational facility improvements throughout the
town, including the Armory and Mayfield Ballparks.
In
other council news, a resolution authorizing Balar Engineers and Surveying to
apply for funding for wastewater treatment plant improvements was approved by
the council. The grant funding the engineers will be applying for are part of
the stimulus package backed by President Barack Obama. Also, a resolution
informing the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality of the annual
municipal water pollution prevention environmental audit was approved.
The
agenda stated the council was expected to meet in executive session to discuss
pending/threatened litigation pertaining to Entergy and the “Bernard Monroe Sr.
incident.” The council did not meet in executive session.
Lt. governor comes to Homer
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu stopped in
Homer Tuesday, March 10, to hear the concerns of Louisiana residents. He met
with local officials and discussed everything from Pilgrim’s Pride closing to
I-69 to coastal erosion. Pictured from left are Darden Gladney, Landrieu, Toni
Robertson, Linda Volentine, Mayor Willie Hendricks of Simsboro and Rep. Rick
Gallot. See next week’s edition for the complete story.
Inmate dies at Claiborne jail
The Guardian-Journal
An
inmate at the Claiborne Parish Women’s Facility passed away February 25 in
prison.
According
to the Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, his office reported that Esther
Morris, 45, of Cotton Valley was transported to Homer Memorial Hospital. Morris became unresponsive and ambulance personnel were contacted.
According
to the sheriff’s office press release, she was hospitalized in the intensive
care unit for several days before passing away.
Morris
was transferred to the women’s facility from Richland Parish Detention Center in January. Her medical transfer review status was clear with no history of
medical problems, and according to those records, no medications were taken.
An
autopsy was performed and findings indicated that Morris suffered from a heart
attack.
Poultry growers out in the cold
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Pilgrim’s
Pride is closing its Farmerville and El Dorado, Ark., plants, and it is
impacting poultry growers all over the region in a big way.
According
to a letter from Pilgrim’s Pride to growers, the company is closing its doors,
calling it idling, meaning a temporary shutdown of the plants. They are closing
these plants as part of “reorganization under Chapter 11 bankruptcy,” which
began in December 2008.
The company
is offering its plant workers assistance in finding new employment and
benefits, but the closings have basically left the growers who contract with
them out in the cold.
“These
facilities will cease operations within 60 to 75 days, and chick placements to
all contract growers will end as of Friday, March 20, 2009,” the letter dated February 27, stated. “The complexes will remain idle until additional
production capacity is needed.”
The
letter goes on to say the company has lost billions of dollars because of
overproduction in what they are calling a weak market.
Growers
in this region just aren’t buying it. They say the company was making money,
and this is just a tactic to cut supply and drive up the price of chicken. More
importantly, many growers are not only losing their livelihood, but they stand
to lose everything they own.
Scott
Davidson, a poultry grower in Claiborne Parish, claims the company stonewalled
the state at every turn so they could file bankruptcy and close the plants,
thereby terminating his and other growers’ contracts with the company.
“We’re
just contract growers,” Davidson said. “We have flock to flock contracts with
them. We have all borrowed money up to millions of dollars to build (chicken)
houses” or retrofit existing ones.
There
are three types of chicken houses (from here on referred to as just “houses”):
pullets, broilers and laying houses. In short, the broiler houses grow a
seven-week chicken. These are the chickens grown for slaughter. Pullet houses
are the ones where growers receive from the company the chickens at
approximately three days old and are kept for 20 to 21 weeks. These are
eventually sent to the laying houses where they will lay their eggs.
Growers
feel betrayed, because they were given incentives to borrow and spend this
money to meet the company’s standards saying they would pay more per bird if
they did these things.
Simone
Wart, a grower in Bienville Parish, says that although Pilgrim’s Pride cash
flow stopped, it didn’t stop the company from requiring its growers to continue
to upgrade their facilities.
“They
led us to believe that they were making money in Farmerville when they
weren’t,” Wart said. “The banks were led to believe they (Pilgrim’s Pride) were
still making money, so they were still loaning us money for the upgrades to our
facilities – for nothing.”
Davidson’s
brother, Tommy, agreed.
“They
(Pilgrim’s Pride) obligated themselves and the banks to give (growers) chickens
to pay for those (chicken) houses, and then they pulled the rug out from under
us,” Tommy Davidson said.
Scott
Davidson went further by saying that it’s implied in the contracts that the
company would keep the contract long enough for growers to pay off the loans.
If
these growers go bankrupt or lose everything, the Davidsons said there was no
way growers could recoup their losses, pay the loans and related expenses –
even if they found other employment outside of the poultry industry.
Some
poultry growers, such as the Davidsons, have diversified, going into other
agriculture industries, but one helps support the other – which means they are
taking a hard hit as well.
Even
though the poultry industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, growers only
make pennies on the dollar for every chicken they grow.
The
state has been in constant contact with the company to make sure the company
stays in Farmerville, but even with state assistance, Gov. Bobby Jindal was
told it wasn’t enough.
“We
have been talking to Pilgrim’s Pride for several months now and have repeatedly
offered our support for anything the state could do to improve long-term
viability of the facility,” Jindal said in a press release. “Pilgrim’s Pride
said that the difficult market conditions were too great for the company to
overcome, even with state assistance.”
Louisiana
Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain said this is a
huge blow to Louisiana’s farm economy, but assured everyone involved that his
department will do everything it can to help.
“Economics
notwithstanding, we will do everything we can to help the hard-working people
who will lose their jobs because of the plant closings and get poultry
interests re-established in the state as soon as possible and our chicken
farmers and the industry that supports it back on track.”
Growers
from all over the region who have contracted with Pilgrim’s Pride have met
several times and are working on coming up with a solution that would keep them
all from going bankrupt. Nothing solid has been put forth as of yet. Research
is still being done.
According
to statistics from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the
poultry industry is the largest animal agricultural industry in Louisiana, and is second only to forestry in total income production for all agricultural
commodities. In 2007, according to the commissioner’s office, Louisiana growers
produced 1.06 billion pounds of broiler meat with a gross value of $795
million. The gross value for all poultry production in Louisiana was $884.1
million that same year. The total value of poultry production in the state was
an estimated $1.7 billion.
Homer man accused of cyberstalking
The Guardian-Journal
A Homer
man has been arrested and charged with cyberstalking.
Cardarius
Mitchell, 17, of Homer, was arrested by Homer Police on Thursday, March 5, for
cyberstalking, with bond set at $500.
According
to reports, Officers Steven Harbour and Van McDaniel were contacted by a
complainant in reference to harassing communications.
The
complainant advised that she’d been contacted by Mitchell, threatening to “do
bodily harm,” reports said, and while officers were taking her statement, she
received a call from him on her cell phone.
She
then put the phone on speaker where officers could listen to the conversation.
During that conversation, he again threatened to do her bodily harm.
The
complainant advised police that she’d received threatening messages on her
phone.
Reports
said that after Mitchell contacted police, he met officers at an undisclosed
location where officers placed him under arrest. Mitchell was transported to
the police station where he was charged.
According
to Louisiana Criminal Code, Revised Statute 14:40.3 specifically, his charge
was considered cyberstalking because cell phones fall under the definition of
“electronic mail.”
It
means “the transmission of information or communication by the use of the
internet, a computer, a facsimile machine, a pager, a cellular telephone, a
video recorder, or other electronic means sent to the person identified by a
unique address or address number and received by that person,” the criminal
code states.
In
other crime news, two Homer men have been arrested on marijuana charges during
a traffic stop.
Reginald
Wafer, 18, was charged with simple possession of marijuana, with a bond of
$1,000; and introducing contraband into jail, with a bond of $5,000. Christin
Winzer, 17, was charged with simple possession of marijuana with a bond of
$500.
According
to reports, Homer police initiated a traffic stop on Pearl Street because the
driver had a brake light out.
When Officers
Van McDaniel and Dale Sindle stopped the vehicle, reports said that McDaniel
detected an odor believed to be that of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Officers asked Wafer to exit the vehicle, and he began acting nervous, reports
said. Wafer told police that he didn’t have anything in his vehicle, and
McDaniel patted him down for officer’s safety.
During
the search, he found three bags of alleged marijuana on his person. According
to reports, the green leafy substance tested positive for marijuana.
Wafer,
along with Winzer, was charged with the above charges and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. However, Wafer was rearrested when detention center
staff found him in possession of more marijuana.
In an
unrelated case, Gregory Rabb, 41, of Homer, was arrested on a warrant and two
other charges. He was charged with theft under $300, with a bond of $500;
resisting an officer, with a bond of $500; and revocation of parole, no bond.
According
to reports, McDaniel observed Rabb in the area of South Fourth Street and Hwy.
79, and when he attempted to make contact with him, he fled. McDaniel chased
him on foot towards Pak-A-Bag. The officer deployed his taser in an attempt to
stop Rabb, but with minimal success. He deployed the taser again, and this
time, Rabb was brought to the ground. At this time, Rabb was taken into custody
by Officers J.D. Faulkner and Gary English.
He was
transported to the police station where he was booked on the warrant and
resisting an officer.
The
warrant for his arrest was for the charge of theft of goods under $300, when he
allegedly stole several packs of steaks from Piggly Wiggly in Homer in January.
In
another case, another Homer man was arrested on two warrants, resisting an
officer and probation/parole violation.
The
warrants on Shirmane Wright, 23, were for aggravated battery, with a bond of
$20,000 and unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, with a bond set at
$10,000.
According
to reports, Officers Mike Rayburn and Harbour were dispatched to a domestic
call on Sunday, March 1.
Upon
arrival, the two officers could hear an argument taking place inside the
residence. Harbour entered the residence and spoke with the complainant. She
advised him that Wright had just left the residence through the back door. A
foot pursuit ensued, and when officers caught up to him, he was taken into
custody without incident.
According
to police reports, Homer police received a call on Saturday, February 28, in
reference to a possible domestic dispute. The complainant, at that time, told
police Wright had repeatedly hit her head against a car door and threw another
object at her.
He was
transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
Local art winners recognized by CPSB
The Guardian-Journal photos/Jenni
Williams
Jerrell Merritt, awarded first place, was
one of three local students to place in the 2009 Art Contest and Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council Inclusive Schools Art contest. Merritt is a
senior at Homer High School.
Third place of the 2009 Art Contest and
Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council Inclusive Schools Art contest went
to Brianna Cotton, a student at Homer Junior High School, with her picture of
an armadillo wrapped in Mardi Gras beads.
Haley Garrett, a junior at Homer High
School also received an Honorable Mention, with her depiction of a collage of Louisiana. Rhonda Porter, pictured above, presented all three awards.
Student safety main concern of school
board after lock down
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
The
safety of Claiborne Parish students was the main topic at the Claiborne Parish
School Board meeting last Thursday.
After
having to lock down area schools on Friday, February 27 due to a phoned in
threat, Superintendent Wayne King said, “We were very pleased with how well the
principals, teachers, students, parents and office staff responded and followed
the policies.”
The
incident resulted in no injuries or further problems and the school board
wanted to thank everyone, including law enforcement, for their quick thinking.
In the
future, the public can feel free to call the Claiborne Parish School Board
Office in the event of a crisis for updates, which will be given continuously
from the police departments. All lines of communication will be kept open.
On the
Tuesday morning following the incident, members of the school board, area
principals and law enforcement came together in a meeting to review the
situation. A decision was made to send out a document to all parents and
newspapers informing them of school board policies pertaining to crises of this
nature.
“The
safety of the students is first,” King said. “We need full cooperation of the
parents, law enforcement and the community for things that could arise in the
future.”
In
other business, a request for approval of the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement by
and between the Board of Supervisors for the Louisiana Community and Technical
College System and the Claiborne Parish School Board was approved by the school
board.
The
decision was made to submit a letter from the board to Representative Rick
Gallot to get legislation moving concerning the cooperative agreement.
The
proposed 2009-10 school calendar was brought before the board by Mike
Blackwelder for approval and due to the 2010 testing dates, the calendar was
approved as presented and will be posted in the paper at a future date.
The
Claiborne Parish Homeless Educational Policy was presented by Mrs. Dansby and
had been reviewed by a local attorney for final touches and minor changes to
make sure it followed the law. It was approved as presented.
Three
local students were recognized by the board as 2009 Art Contest and Lousiana
Developmental Disabilities Council Inclusive Schools Art contest winners.
First
place in the state was awarded to Jerrell Merritt, a senior at Homer High School. Receiving a third place award was Brianna Cotton, a student at Homer Junior High School, with her picture of an armadillo wrapped in Mardi Gras beads.
Haley
Garret, a junior at Homer High School also received an Honorable Mention, with
her depiction of a collage of Louisiana. Rhonda Porter, art teacher at the Homer Schools, presented the framed awards to the students.
Fourth Annual Don “Chic” Ceccarelli
Benefit Bass Tournament
Sponsored
by Fred Smith & Sons, the fourth annual Don “Chic” Ceccarelli Benefit Bass
Tournament will be held on Lake Claiborne at the Pleasure Point Marina.
The
tournament will be between the hours of safe daylight and 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Lots of prizes, including a $500 first place and 100% pay back
Big Bass will be awarded. The cost is $72 per boat, big bass included.
Tournament
Rules:
1. Only
Large mouth and Kentucky Spotted bass can be weighed in and must be at least 12
inches in length.
2.
Any short fish weighed in will result in a one pound penalty and loss of short
fish weight.
3.
Any dead fish weighed in will result in a .25 pound penalty.
4. No
more than five fish can be weighed by a team or individual.
5.
Anglers can fish alone or with a partner. No more than two people will be
allowed in a boat at any time.
6.
Anglers must remain in boat unless absolute emergency.
7.
All local, state, and federal laws must be followed or disqualification will
result.
8.
Life jackets must be worn while boat is on plane.
9.
Alcohol or drugs being consumed during tournament hours is prohibited and
disqualification will result.
10. No
fishing within 50 yards of another angler that is tied or anchored with the
trolling motor in the stowed (up) position.
11. In
all matters, the decision of the tournament committee will be final.
12. Any
angler under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
13.
Anglers must be on the bank at marina by 3 p.m. or a one pound penalty will
result for each minute being late.
Registration
for the tournament will start at 5:15 a.m. at Pleasure Point. Fish plates are
$7 per plate. Proceeds from the tournament will go to Chic. Come rain or shine,
there will be two tents set up for the event. For questions, please call Chris
Bailey at 318-433-0565.
