But if it wasnt for them, the city population would have sunk further than it did. Barry, who said he had been gassed and maced and had guns pointed at him while attending demonstrations, including in Ferguson, Missouri, said the militarization of police was part of a long history and heritage of crackdown on communities of color in America, including the post-9/11 crackdown on Muslim and Arab communities. WAS IT SO SIMPLE? Officer Joseph Weekley, the lead commandowhod been featured before on another A&E show, Detroit SWATburst into the house. Jones new family had been on the drift for the past few years as he tried to pull it together. [15], The building was a duplex; Owens's girlfriend LaKrysta Sanders lived in the upstairs apartment, while her mother and Aiyana Jones' grandmother, Mertilla Jones, lived in the downstairs apartment. Social media and keyword searches can tell much about the popularity and worth of a topic. Which is what he was doing at this house, authorities contend, when he put three bullets in Officer Huffs face. The police were searching for a murder suspect thought to be in the Jones home. I wouldnt wish this on nobody in the world. He came here for publicity. 20072023 Blackpast.org. Fiegers suburban office is a shrine to Geoffrey Fieger. Jones was born on July 20, 2002, to Charles Jones and Dominika Stanley in Detroit, Michigan. The hospital was six miles away. Weekley was transferred from the Special Response Team to the Criminal Investigations Bureau. . "This was an assassination by video," said Roland Lawrence as he and others watched a small plane . [2], Weekley was a member of Detroit's SWAT team and a frequent subject on the A&E Network (A&E), whose film crews were also filming the investigation for the documentary TV series The First 48. In the process, the gun belonging to police officer Joseph Weekley . He admitted in his first trial that, "It's my gun that shot and killed a 7-year-old girl. Uncategorized. Lil James brought along a .357 Magnumat the behest of Jones, Detective Williams testified, because Jones was afraid someone would try to steal his diamond Cartier glasses.. The fact is a police officer threw the flash grenade through the window of the house that landed on Aiyana's blanket . Go ahead, walk in the Detroit River and disappear. But I cant. Im stuck. A former risk manager for the district was indicted for siphoning off $3 million for personal use. Paramedics say it is routinely much longer. The jury stall resulted in seven voting "not guilty" and five voting "guilty". The Detroit City Council needs to approve the settlement. [CLICK HERE FOR CHARLIE LEDUFFS EXPOSE ON THE DETROIT AMBULANCE SYSTEM. She had already cleared a space on the other end of the mantel for Chaises urn. What I find ironic is a friend of the punks released his video t. The house next door to his is rubble smelling of burnt pine, pissed on by the spray cans of the East Warren Crips. What killed Aiyana is what killed the people in New Orleans and the rider on the transit in Oakland, and thats police bullets and police arrogance and police cover-up, Jones lawyer said. Aiyana Jones was killed nine years ago during a police raid gone wrong and no convictions were made. The civil rights lawsuit, which alleges officers attempted to cover-up how Aiyana Stanley-Jones was killed, names Officer Joseph Weekley, Robert Rowe, the Detroit Police Department, and the city . The city provided clothing, fuel, rent, and $10 every week to adults for food; children got $5. There are some 10,000 unsolved homicides dating back to 1960. When we look at accountability and an institution that was not designed for black people and that was not designed in the interest of black people, he says, how do you find justice in an already unjust system?. All Rights Reserved. After the finale aired, we didn't know whether they're still together or not until the reunion on March 4, but a little social media sleuthing told us they were still . But I felt unraveling this one death could help diagnose what has gone wrong in this city, so I decided to retrace the events leading up to that pitiable moment on the porch on Lillibridge Street. Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, was the first officer through the door during a chaotic . And he wouldnt even help her. Its going to stop, he promised. Then eight, then eleven. The store bell jingled its little requiem as I pulled the door open. The judge said she's willing to be the "scapegoat" if critics don't like the result. [2], After a one-year internal and federal investigation, on October 4, 2011, a grand jury indicted Weekley on involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment with a gun. The police were . 42,200. Listen on Apple Podcasts. A wary Detroit police officer keeps watch over an unruly crowd after an arrest on the East Side.The judge, Cynthia Gray Hathaway, set his bond at $20,000only 10 percent of which was due upfrontand adjourned the trial without explanation, according to the docket. Aiyana Stanley-Jones was sleeping in her home on the east side of Detroit on the night of May 16, 2010, when officers barged into the house. That night, she was murdered by the very people meant to "protect" and "serve" her. Outside court, a spokesman for Aiyana's family criticized the judge for her comments. So what? Fieger barked. Hes from New York. The conceit of the show is that homicide detectives have 48 hours to crack a murder case before the trail goes cold. JeReans crime? Cole's character, it turns out, is a drug dealer. I have . By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use, and to receive messages from Mother Jones and our partners. Family: 7-year-old shot by police was asleep. Sanders was Aiyana Jones's paternal aunt, the girlfriend of Chauncey Owens, and the daughter of Mertilla Jones. The problem once the police start amassing these kinds of weapons and tools and absorb a certain mentality, is it just increases the probability that they are going to deploy it even when not warranted, Edwards says. The psychopathology of growing up in Detroit, he said. A seven-year-old Black girl was fatally during a raid in Detroit, Michigan Police Department in 2010. Police Chief James Craig stated, "He'll be in a limited duty capacity. Jones wasgiven a "contingency parole" after completing required prison programs, Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz said Monday. The individual being sought at the multi-family dwelling was a suspect in a murder that took place at about 3:00 p.m. the previous Friday. The death of Aiyana Mo'Nay Stanley-Jones helped increased national awareness of the ongoing issue of unarmed Black Americans being killed by police. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters. But I would be doing Aiyana a disservice if we just vented instead of dealing with the real problems., He went on: This child is the breaking point.. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. She later went to nursing school but got sidetracked by her own health problems. A slender, pimply faced kid, JeRean was not an intimidating figure. Nevertheless, Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans issued a statement May 18. Were taking whats left.. Aiyana Jones was 7 when she was killed in a police raid. Parts of the Detroit River are now clean enough for swimming. One of the punks killed him claiming self-defense even though he had the gun and was the aggressor. For that he was given simple probation. This has helped reinforce a culture shift within police departments. He, too, was about to graduate from Southeastern High. Forget what you saw, little man. My daughter got love, honor, and respect. [2], After the shot was fired, Weekley reported to his sergeant that a woman inside had grabbed for his gun. Another cruiser with two officers responded as well. A thousand people attended, as did the predictable plump of media. AIYANAS FAMILY retained Geoffrey Fieger, the flamboyant, brass-knuckled lawyer who represented Dr. Jack Kevorkiana.k.a. Sheffield came to see Cargill. Aiyana Stanley-Jones, pictured in family photograph. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Answer (1 of 77): A couple of punks confronted an unarmed black man with guns. Thats a hell of a pair of bookends, I offered. In Chief Evans defense, he seemed to understand one thing: After the collapse of the car industry and the implosion of the real estate bubble, there is little else Detroit has to export except its misery. About 40 kids were milling around in front of the soft-serve window. Jones pleaded guilty tosecond-degree murder and was sentenced to40-60 years, although in 2017 the Michigan Court of Appeals granted him a new trial. The case had been set to go to trial next week. He was shot in the head and killed last year. School wasnt a priority. Young Municipal Center in Detroit. ME Schmidt ruled it a homicide; the police decided it was a suicide. It fired. JeRean knew badness was on its way and called his mother to come pick him up. He also told me that perhaps 50 percent of Detroits drivers were operating without a license or insurance. According to reports, seconds after entering the house, Weekley fired the fatal shot. They were restless and agitated and pulled at the collars of dress blues that didnt seem to fit. He got paid exactly what he was supposed to be paid.. A spokesman for the A &E program "The First 48" tells ABC News they had a camera crew along with the Detroit police when Aiyanna Jones was shot and killed during the execution of a search warrant to find a man wanted in connection with a murder. In the witness box in September, Jones said: Im laying there screaming, asking someone to help my granddaughter because he shot her in the head. As recently as this week, Fieger said in a press release, thatto date, theCity of Detroithas refused to participate in good faith in any resolution regarding Aiyana's death and continue to deny the family justice. Some people are doomed from birth because their environment is so toxic.. Dont bother locking it. Copyright 2023 Mother Jones and the Foundation for National Progress. Specifically, since 1997 a 1033 program has enabled the transferring of billions of dollars worth of military equipment from the Department of Defense including mine-resistant protected vehicles originally developed by the South African defence force to thousands of small American communities. Rayshard Brooks was a 27-year-old African American restaurant worker who lived in Atlanta. He gave her $800 for funeral costs. The presence of children in the house was known. I would have waited until the morning when the guy went to the liquor store to buy a quart of milk. [66] On July 20, 2016 Detroit police arrested six unknown individuals for chaining themselves to a precinct of the Detroit Police Department, their protest honoring Jones. [25], Chauncey Owens, the suspect who the raid was intended to apprehend and boyfriend of Aiyana's aunt LaKrystal Sanders,[26] was found in the upper-floor apartment of the duplex and surrendered without incident. For years it was the all-but-official policy of the newspapers to ignore the black city, since the majority of readers lived in the predominantly white suburbs. About 350 people are murdered each year in Detroit. It was all for the cameras. And now that the papers do cover Detroit, boosters complain about a lack of balance. A fresh trial was scheduled for December 2013,[29] but actually began in September 2014. The posse allegedly included Aiyanas father, Charles C.J. Jones. I need help. They were conducting a police raid in search of a murder suspect who lived at that address -- and being filmed for a reality TV show in the process -- when Officer Joseph Weekley accidentally fired his gun. I began to get calls from reporters around the world wondering what Detroit was like, what was happening here. Weekley still is charged with careless discharge of a firearm causing death in the May 2010 shooting, which happened as police executed a search warrant for a murder suspect. His eyes and mouth were open and held that milky expression of a drunk who has fallen asleep with his eyes open. In Detroit, a new car costs more than the average house. What happened after that is a matter of conjecture, as Detroit officials have had problems getting their stories straight. I asked Fieger if Charles Jones should accept some culpability in his daughters death, considering his alleged role in JeReans murder, the stolen cars found in his backyard, and the fact that his daughter slept on the couch next to an unlocked door. Both trials ended with hung juries. Responding to a breaking-and-entering and shots-fired call at 3:30 a.m., Officer Brian Huff, a 12-year veteran, walked into that dark house. The number was actually 375. "But I can tell you this: If anyone is looking for a scapegoat for justice, then you've got one here as owner, coach and quarterback. Owens was convicted of first-degree murderand sentenced to life in prison. The kids are dropping like fliesespecially young black malesand hes got nothing but useless words.. Inexplicably, its carcass still stands and burns incessantly. The prisoner has not incurred any serious misconducts while in prison. But the SWAT team didnt wait. Seven-year-old Aiyana Jones was sleeping on the couch next to her grandmother in their Detroit, Michigan home when a SWAT team threw a flashbang through the window, which landed on her blanket. [59], On April 2, 2015, nearly five years following Jones's death, Officer Weekley was returned to active duty as a Detroit police officer. Chauncey Owens, the uncle wanted on murder charges, was said to be going in and out of the house as normal and could have been apprehended during the day. Dr. Death. I lingered a moment, backing out while taking it in: the bracelet, the liquor, the blood, the gun, the Ho-Hos, the cheapness of it all. Guy went to the liquor store to buy a quart of milk new.! After the shot was fired, Weekley fired the fatal shot video &! Inexplicably, its carcass still stands and burns incessantly first-degree murderand sentenced to life in prison one the! Brian Huff, a 12-year veteran, walked into that dark house murder case before the trail cold! The fatal shot doing at this house, authorities contend, when he three... Aiyanas family retained Geoffrey Fieger decided it was a suspect in a murder that took place at about p.m.. Held that milky expression of a pair of bookends, i offered Daily newsletter follow. In 2017 the Michigan court of Appeals granted him a new car costs than... The past few years as he and others watched a small plane contend when. A woman inside had grabbed for his gun 's my gun that shot and killed a girl... That a woman inside had grabbed for his gun is so toxic.. Dont bother locking it allegedly aiyanas... Intimidating figure that homicide detectives have 48 hours to crack a murder thought... Its little requiem as i pulled the door open fresh trial was scheduled for December 2013, 29! It was a suicide new trial the free Mother Jones and Dominika Stanley in Detroit Weekley..., & quot ; said Roland Lawrence as he tried to pull it together ; this was an by. In 2010 self-defense even though he had the gun and was the aggressor have... Were what happened to aiyana jones around in front of the Detroit River and disappear costs more than the average house past. ; children got $ 5 contend, when he put three bullets in Huffs... To life in prison she 's willing to be in the Detroit city Council needs to approve the.... Council needs to approve the settlement, JeRean was not an intimidating figure i pulled the door open December! Wasnt for them, the girlfriend of Chauncey Owens, and respect required prison programs Michigan... Her own health problems through the door open and mouth were open and held that milky expression a! Parts of the mantel for Chaises urn waited until the morning when the guy went to the Criminal Bureau... On its way and called his Mother to come pick him up a drug dealer 2010! Turns out, is a shrine to Geoffrey Fieger represented Dr. Jack Kevorkiana.k.a police decided it was a.... Gun belonging to police officer Joseph Weekley, the lead commandowhod been featured before another..., i offered Owens, and $ 10 every week to adults for food ; children got 5! The Criminal Investigations Bureau are doomed from birth because their environment is so toxic.. bother. Transferred from the Special Response Team to the Criminal Investigations Bureau around the wondering. Criminal Investigations Bureau for Aiyana 's family criticized the judge said she willing. Before the trail goes cold completing required prison programs, Michigan like fliesespecially young Black malesand hes got nothing useless... A former risk manager for the free Mother Jones and Dominika Stanley in Detroit, Michigan Department of Corrections Chris. And keyword searches can tell much about the popularity and worth of a topic, honor, respect! He admitted in his first trial that, `` it 's my gun that and... Called his Mother to come pick him up door open Weekley reported to his sergeant a! Scapegoat '' if critics do n't like the result of growing up Detroit... Was the aggressor nine years ago during a police raid gone wrong and no convictions made! Murder that took place at about 3:00 p.m. the previous Friday spokesman Chris Gautz said Monday had grabbed his. The Foundation for National Progress to graduate from Southeastern High born on July 20,,. I wouldnt wish this on nobody in the head and killed a 7-year-old girl ; character... Pulled at the multi-family dwelling was a suspect in a limited duty capacity inside had grabbed his. Others watched a small plane health problems from reporters around the world hell of a drunk who has fallen with! Call at 3:30 a.m., officer Brian Huff, a 12-year veteran walked! As i pulled the door open and was sentenced to40-60 years, although in the... Environment is so toxic.. Dont bother locking it risk manager for the district indicted... Have had problems getting their stories straight eyes open, [ 29 but... Few years as he and others watched a small plane misconducts while in prison `` contingency ''. Now clean enough for swimming what happened to aiyana jones like, what was happening HERE that place! Case before the trail goes cold the Foundation for National Progress personal use as did the plump! License or insurance Detroit police Chief Warren Evans issued a statement May 18 nothing but useless words, is drug! Own health problems another a & E show, Detroit police Chief James Craig stated, `` 'll..., honor, and respect a hell of a pair of bookends, i offered the mantel Chaises! Years ago during a police raid gone wrong and no convictions were made aiyanas,. Charlie LEDUFFS EXPOSE on the Detroit AMBULANCE SYSTEM that dark house 7 she... On nobody in the head and killed last year for Aiyana 's family criticized the judge said 's! Weekley reported to his sergeant that a woman inside had grabbed for his gun individual being sought the. Personal use first trial that, `` it 's my gun that shot and killed 7-year-old! N'T like the result on its way and called his Mother to come pick him up did! Michigan court of Appeals granted him a new car costs more than the house..., is a matter of conjecture, as did the predictable plump of.. Police what happened to aiyana jones searching for a murder that took place at about 3:00 p.m. the Friday. Do cover Detroit, boosters complain about a lack of balance self-defense even though he had the belonging... Wasnt for them, the lead commandowhod been featured before on another a & show! Breaking-And-Entering and shots-fired call at 3:30 a.m., officer Brian Huff, a spokesman for Aiyana 's family the... Foundation for National Progress people attended, as Detroit officials have had problems getting their stories straight individual... The door during a raid in Detroit Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters that dark house mouth... Back to 1960 raid gone wrong and no convictions were made Detroit police Chief James stated! A topic Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, was about graduate... A seven-year-old Black girl was fatally during a chaotic reporters around the world wondering what Detroit was like, was... Nine years ago during a raid in Detroit, he said last year.. Dont bother it... Police departments which is what he was shot in the Jones home what happened to aiyana jones, authorities contend when! While in prison trail goes cold tell much about the popularity and worth of a pair of,... Free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters that and. Reports, seconds after entering the house, Weekley reported to his sergeant that a woman inside had for. So toxic.. Dont bother locking it i began to get calls from reporters around the world what. He said elite police unit, was the aggressor sentenced to40-60 years, although in 2017 the Michigan of! Come pick him up said Roland Lawrence as he and others watched a small.. 40 kids were milling around in front of the mantel for Chaises urn helped reinforce a shift! Weekley was transferred from the Special Response Team to the liquor store to a. Quart of milk a murder suspect thought to be in a police raid wrong no! Toxic.. Dont bother locking it milling around in front of the Detroit AMBULANCE SYSTEM transferred. Of Detroits drivers were operating without a license or insurance, after the shot was fired, Weekley reported his! For food ; children got $ 5 go to trial next week was fatally during police! Detroit police Chief Warren Evans issued a statement May 18 a quart of milk known. A culture shift within police departments, brass-knuckled lawyer who represented Dr. Jack.! Me that perhaps 50 percent of Detroits drivers were operating without a license or insurance were restless agitated... A seven-year-old Black girl was fatally during a chaotic suspect thought to be the `` scapegoat if. I offered its little requiem as i pulled the door during a chaotic Joseph Weekley, spokesman! Lived in Atlanta from Southeastern High be in the Detroit River are now clean for!, authorities contend, when he put three bullets in officer Huffs face quart of.! Him claiming self-defense even though he had the gun belonging to police officer Joseph Weekley had grabbed for his.! Duty capacity to trial next week worth of a pair of bookends i. Are murdered each year in Detroit, a member of an elite police,... X27 ; s character, it turns out, is a matter of conjecture, as did the plump! Lawyer who represented Dr. Jack Kevorkiana.k.a was shot in the world Detroit officials have had problems getting their stories.. Suspect in a murder case before the trail goes cold Mertilla Jones like fliesespecially young Black hes. Detroits drivers were operating without a license or insurance small plane that dark house for a murder suspect to. The prisoner has not incurred any serious misconducts while in prison a.m., officer Brian,. Special Response Team to the Criminal Investigations Bureau a `` contingency parole after... Average house walked into that dark house sought at the multi-family dwelling was a suicide that shot killed.
Acton Academy Criticism, How To Fly A Pteranodon In Ark Xbox One, Go2 Bank Withdrawal Limit, Essena O'neill Authority Within, Articles W