Officers cleared in Monroe shooting
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The two
officers involved in the shooting death of Bernard Monroe Sr. have been
cleared.
Late
Thursday afternoon, the Claiborne Parish Grand Jury handed down a no true bill,
which means no criminal charges will be filed against former Homer Police
Officers Tim Cox and Joseph Henry, in a case that turned the community of Homer
upside down.
When
the results were handed down, the only officer that might have faced criminal
charges was Cox. According to the report filed with the Claiborne Parish Clerk
of Court, Cox could have faced a charge of first degree murder, second degree
murder, manslaughter or negligent homicide.
According
to Assistant Attorney General John Sinquefield, the grand jury met two full
days and worked overtime on the case. The 12 member jury heard 21 witnesses,
including 12 civilians, meaning non law enforcement witnesses. They reviewed
dozens of items of evidence and returned the no true bill, he said.
“I
think they did a very thorough, very complete investigation involving the death
of Mr. Monroe,” Sinquefield said. “They did a very good job in reviewing the
evidence. All the witnesses, all the police personnel, and all the governmental
officials in Homer cooperated 100 percent with us in our investigation, and on
behalf of the attorney general’s office, we’d like to thank all these people.”
He
extended his thanks to Second Judicial District Judge Jenifer Clason, Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, Homer Police Chief Russell Mills and all the police
jury personnel for their full cooperation and accommodations during the grand
jury proceedings – held at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex in Homer.
“Judge
Clason was very helpful and available, and took our report and showed us every
courtesy of the court, and we’d like to thank her,” he said.
Rob
Moore, of the Moore Law Firm in Arcadia, the attorney representing Henry, said
his client is glad it’s over.
“We’re
just relieved that it’s over,” Moore said. “Joey loves this town and wishes the
best for Homer.”
Henry
declined comment on the matter at this time, as did Homer Police Chief Russell
Mills. Mills declined comment under the advisement of Town Attorney Jim Colvin,
pending a civil suit.
Attorney
Morris Dees, of the Southern Poverty Law Center in Alabama, representing the Monroe family, said they are disappointed in the outcome of this incident.
“They
are extremely disappointed that no indictment was returned,” he said, “and they
intend to file a civil lawsuit in the near future with the opportunity for a
jury to hear the factual determination in the death of Mr. Monroe – something
that did not take place with the grand jury.”
Dees indicated that a suit will be filed within the next 10
days as of Friday, February 5.
Bernard
Monroe Sr., 73, was shot and killed by Cox on Friday, February 20, 2009, at his home. He was transported to Homer Memorial Hospital with multiple gunshot
wounds. He later passed away at the hospital.
According
to police, they were pursuing Monroe’s son, Shawn, on foot, and the chase ended
at his residence where Monroe allegedly engaged the two officers with a loaded
handgun. Witnesses at the scene say he did not have a gun, but rather a sports
drink bottle.
The Rev.
Willie Young, president of the Claiborne Chapter of the National Association
for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), said the members of his
organization were disappointed in the outcome.
“We’re
disappointed, and we have to accept the results whether I like them or not,” he
said. “You live in the real world and there’s two sides to every story.”
He said
they prepared themselves for the outcome either way, and it was time to move
forward.
“The
grand jury has spoken and we move on from here,” Young said.
The
tragedy has spurred unrest and many questions by members of the community from
all sides. The U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
the ACLU and the Louisiana State Police have investigated the case from several
different aspects, including any possible civil rights violations as well as
the investigation into the incident itself.
The
Rev. Al Sharpton was in Homer last year saying that he would not rest until
justice was done for Monroe. The NAACP also conducted its own investigation
just weeks after the incident.
Petition reaches signature goals
Proposed police chief ordinance could go
before the people
The Guardian-Journal
More
than 400 signatures (443 to be exact) have been obtained on petitions
circulating throughout Homer in opposition of the proposed ordinance to change
the police chief’s position from an elected one to an appointed one.
On
Tuesday afternoon, Homer Town Attorney Jim Colvin said he’d received more than
twice the signatures needed in order to put the ordinance proposal before the
people. On Wednesday, Colvin was expected to turn those petitions in to
Claiborne Parish Registrar of Voters Patricia Sanders for signature and voter
registration verification.
Each
person who signed the petition, he said, must live within the corporate limits
of Homer and be a registered voter in order for their signature to count.
Colvin said he is attempting to get the proposed ordinance on the ballot for
the May 1 election date.
The
issue has been hotly debated since it was brought up in a Homer Town Council
meeting late last year. Some citizens have expressed their anger because the
feel as if their right to vote for a police chief is being taken away. Others
say that’s not true. Their rights to vote are not being taken away, but some
feel the council should run the town.
A
public hearing on the matter will be held at 6 p.m. just before the regular monthly meeting on March 1 in council chambers, located at the Homer Police
Station. For more information, please call Town Hall at 927-3555.
Locals celebrate Super Bowl win
New Orleans Saints beat Indianapolis Colts 31-17
The New Orleans Saints have done it! The
team, for the first time in its franchise history, has brought home the title
of XLIV Super Bowl Champs – and united a state. Winning a surprising victory of
31-17 over the Indianapolis Colts, the “Who Dat!” Nation is celebrating from
state line to state line, including right here in Claiborne Parish. Employees
at the U.S. Post Office in Homer celebrated the Super Bowl win with a party
Monday morning as millions of fans continued their celebrations all over the
state. Pictured from left, front row, are: John S. Hightower, Ella Webb, John
Buggs Jr., Opal Moore, Janna Traylor and Lodella Ferguson. Back row, from left
are: Postmaster Fred Young, Jane Dominie, Ricky Lane, Melvin Stowell and Steve
Calise.
Log truck snarls traffic
The Guardian Journal photo/Jenni Williams
Two lanes of traffic were shut down just
north of Homer at the intersection of Hwy 79 and Slaughter Road due to an early
morning accident on Tuesday. The log truck pictured above was hauling a load of
timber south on Hwy 79 when the truck toppled over onto its side, spilling the
timber across the highway.The driver, with Claiborne Transportation, was not
injured in the accident. Although clean up efforts by Nolen’s Wrecker Service
and Claiborne Transportaion made the process run much smoother, traffic was
still moving slowly as of lunch time.
Lake Claiborne Channel Marker Project well underway
JENNI WILLIAMS, Staff Reporter
The
permanent channel marker project for Lake Claiborne was the main topic of
conversation at the recent Claiborne Parish Watershed meeting held last week.
The
project is about one-third completed, with 62 of the more than 200 markers
already set into the bottom of the lake.
“Things
are proceeding according to plans, of course we lost about a week due to the
weather,” Kevin Green, with Pro-Build Construction said, while addressing the
board.
A
slight error was made in the setting of the four markers leading into Gladney
Passage, but will soon be corrected by placing three new poles, at a cost of
more than $6,000, on the correct coordinates leading into the passage.
Project
signs are posted at Lisbon and Arizona Landings on the north and east sides of
the lake.
The
information kiosk at Lisbon Landing is well on its way to completion, with the
roof already up.
The
board also discussed the possibility of having regulations pertaining to the
channel markers once the project is completed.
The
Crime Penalty Regulation Ordinance, written by the Claiborne Parish Police
Jury, would place a fine of up to $500 or serve two months for the placement of
any unregulated yo-yos, brush tops or any other items nailed or attached to the
new permanent markers, by any citizen.
Both
the Claiborne Parish Police Jury and the Claiborne Parish Watershed District
would be policing the permanent markers. The charge would be a misdemeanor.
The
board hopes to have the written ordinance ready for signing by the regular
March meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, March 23 in the meeting room at
the police jury building.
Questions answered in domestic abuse
case
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
In a
follow up to last week’s story on a Homer man arrested for domestic abuse
charges, The Guardian-Journal received several questions in regards to the
story.
The
biggest question centered on the meaning of “released on his own recognizance”
and the process by which a subject is released in this manner.
Jamichael
Greer, 25, was arrested on Wednesday, January 27, on charges of domestic abuse
battery, attempted criminal damage to property and disturbing the peace.
According to reports, Greer allegedly beat his wife repeatedly with a belt, and
when he was detained in the patrol unit, police say he attempted to break the
window of the patrol unit.
He was
arrested, booked and then released on his own recognizance – but not by the
Homer Police Department.
Police
Chief Russell Mills explained the process by which a subject is arrested if
charges are warranted.
A
subject who has been placed under arrest is taken to the police station or to
the detention center, processed and placed in jail. Normally, in domestic abuse
cases, Mills said, the bond is to be set in order to give the offender or the
subject arrested a period of time to cool off.
Assistant
District Attorney Jim Hatch told The Guardian-Journal that the term “released
on recognizance” or ROR, means a person is released on his or her word that
they will appear in court.
“Only
the judge can release person on ROR,” he said. “The assistant district attorney
or the defendant can request it, but only a judge can do it.”
There
are several different reasons a person might be released on his own
recognizance, for example medical conditions. Usually, those released on ROR
are thought to be nonviolent offenders.
According
to Article 338 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the amount of bail “shall be
in writing, set the type and a single amount of bail for each charge, designate
the officer or officers authorized to accept the bail and shall be signed by
the magistrate.” It continues to say that the order may be issued on motion of
the prosecutor, defendant or the judge’s initiative, but a judge usually won’t
do an ROR unless there is a specific reason. For example, a person could be
released on his own recognizance with the condition that the person agrees to
participate in a drug rehabilitation program.
There
are several things that could determine a person’s bail. According to Article
334 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, factors in determining the amount of
bail include the seriousness of the offense charged, the weight of the evidence
against the defendant, previous criminal records, ability of the defendant to
give bail, the nature and seriousness of the danger to any person or the
community, the defendant’s voluntary participation in a pre-trial drug testing
program, the absence or presence of any controlled dangerous substance in the defendant’s
blood at the time of arrest, whether the defendant is currently out on bond on
a previous felony, or any other circumstances affecting the probability of the
defendant’s appearance.
Greer
is to be arraigned March 2, and Assistant District Attorney Jim Colvin, who is
handling Greer’s case, said he was released on his own recognizance because the
victim requested in writing that the charges be dropped, and he requested the
judge to honor the victim’s wishes.
Although
Greer’s case is an exception, it is rare that a subject will be released on
their own recognizance unless a specific reason is given. Greer’s case also
brings up another issue that is touchy to say the least.
Domestic
violence is never okay, Mills said, because when police get a call in a
domestic situation, usually one or both parties are arrested depending on
what’s going on.
“The
Homer Police Department does not make it a practice to release anybody on
domestic violence charges due to the serious nature of the charge,” Mills said.
“Domestic violence is a serious crime, and we’re trying to prevent another
silhouette from being placed on the courthouse lawn.”
He
referred to the red silhouettes placed on the courthouse lawn every year during
domestic violence awareness month in October. The silhouettes represent one
person or child who died as a result of domestic abuse.
“It is
against the policy of the DA’s office to dismiss domestic abuse charges,”
Colvin said, “unless the victim requests in writing that the charges be
dismissed, which in this case she did. Even then, we don’t automatically
dismiss, meaning we will go to trial against the victim’s wishes if the actions
were severe enough, and in this case we did not deem that they were.”
In this
case, Colvin said, he just did not have enough evidence to successfully
prosecute the case. However, he will be prosecuted on the disturbing the peace
charge, which is a misdemeanor, and he wasn’t going to hold him in a jail cell
for a disturbing the peace charge.
Claiborne WK Wellness Center undiscovered jewel
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Tucked
away in a building just north of Homer is a jewel that could help everyone get
healthier.
The Claiborne Willis Knighton Wellness Center, located at 104 Morris Circle just behind the
Willis-Knighton clinic, is a place for citizens to begin an exercise program
that fits each individual.
Scott
Freeling, exercise specialist, spoke to the Homer Lions Club Thursday, January
28, and stressed the importance of exercise.
“The
importance of exercise is that you feel better as well as look better,” he told
Lions Club members. “You’re able to function better. If you want it, you can
have a healthy lifestyle. You can be healthy and maintain a healthy body
weight. That’s the most important thing I deal with.”
He
discussed body fat and why people gain weight. When a family goes to a
restaurant and orders a meal, the portion sizes are usually double what is
recommended. He said eating proper portion sizes is very important in losing
weight or maintaining a healthy weight.
“The
American way of life now is that portion sizes are tremendous,” he said. “The
problem today is that we put a lot more food in our face and we have done
nothing but sit around.”
There
is a chart called the BMI, or Body Mass Index, chart which shows what a person
should weigh based on his or her height and current weight. It is used to
estimate a healthy body weight based on a person’s height. It is defined as the
individual’s body weight divided by the square of his or her height.
“A lot
of schools have gone to the BMI chart and it’s really not correct,” Freeling
said. “There are a lot of misconceptions about exercise.”
For
one, muscle burns calories three times faster than fat burns fat. The
informercials on television show these men and women who are bulked up and
slim, but the reality is, he said, is that these people probably work out every
day and run about three or four miles a day. It’s just not a realistic goal, he
said, and that’s why the goal is to get the individual in shape and feel
better. It’s not just about setting unrealistic goals.
“You’re
not going to be what you were 20 years ago,” he said, “but what you will do is
learn to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”
He
continued his discussion about calories and the effect on the body. For
example, if a person eats 200 calories at a meal, it would take 20 minutes on a
treadmill to burn those 200 calories.
“Nothing
takes the place of physical exercise,” he said. “There are so many good
benefits to exercise.”
Freeling
is the youth pastor at Simsboro Baptist Church. The Wellness Center has been in business for 10 years, but he’s only been at the Wellness Center for the last six months. He worked at Willis-Knighton Pierremont for three and one half
years before coming to Homer.
“I’m
real excited about being in Homer and serving the Homer/Haynesville area,” he
said.
The Wellness Center, according to its brochure, individualizes exercise programs to fit each
participant. All new members will receive a fitness assessment, which includes
submaximal cardiovascular testing (a walk test which tests the participant’s
heart rate and blood pressure response to moderate intensity functional
exercise), blood pressure check, a body fat composition analysis, strength and
flexibility testing, blood lipid profile (cholesterol check) and a personalized
exercise prescription.
Each
participant will begin their exercise regimen in a top-notch facility with
top-notch equipment. The Wellness Center officers Quinton Treadmills,
Stairmasters, Precor Elliptical Trainers, Schwinn Airdynes, Recumbent Bicycles,
Concept II Rowers, Trotter Resistance Machines and free weights (includes
dumbbells up to 105 pounds per pair).
Each
member will also have access to abundant parking and cable television with
privately transmitted audio.
The
center also provides medical supervision by a staff of qualified healthcare
professionals of staff physicians, registered nurses, and an exercise
specialist with a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology (the science of
human movement).
Hours
of operation are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The Wellness Center is closed Saturdays and Sundays.
For
more information, please call Freeling at 927-0066.
