Guy McEwen
Date: Fri, Apr. 18, 2008
April 18, 2008
Many of you will have heard by now that Guy McEwen, one of the witnesses for the prosecution in Dinerral Shavers’s murder case, was himself murdered yesterday evening. Guy was in the car when Dinerral was shot and he took the stand during trial, although he did not identify the shooter specifically. We have been extremely concerned that the Not Guilty verdict in this case would result in a heightening of tensions surrounding everyone involved. At this time, however, we do not actually know whether Guy’s murder is related to his participation in Dinerral’s case.
What we do know is that, given the suggestive timing of Guy’s death and the implications for discussions surrounding witness intimidation, the NOPD has an added responsibility to conduct a thorough investigation of this latest tragedy. The DA’s witness assistance division has a responsibility to reach out to all witnesses who participated in the trial, many of whom must be terrified. And we as the public have the right to learn what happened here, how and why, and who is going to take responsibility for this young man’s death, which many felt was predictable.
We can only hope that a strengthened criminal justice system is in a better position to pursue and secure real and transparent justice in this case.
This week, fittingly, is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. SilenceIsViolence will participate in a federally-sponsored event on Tulane’s campus to honor and commemorate victims of violent crime, to be held between 1:30 and 4pm in the Kendall-Cram Room of the new Lavin-Bernick Center on McAlister Drive. Tomorrow evening, we will hold a City Walk in the Uptown area in conjunction with this event. We encourage all of you to join us. Here is the route:Uptown City Walk
SilenceisViolence
Walk for Peace Saturday April 19th, 2008, 5PM
Start: Green Charter School
(2319 Valence Street, New Orleans, LA 70115)
-From Green Charter, North on Valence to Magnolia St.
-West on Magnolia St. to Jefferson Ave
-South on Jefferson Avenue to South Robertson St.
-West on South Robertson St. to State St.
-South on State St. To Freret St.
-East on Freret St to Joseph St.
-South on Joseph St. to LaSalle St.
-East on LaSalle St. to Valence St.
End at Samuel J. Green Charter School
Total Distance: 1.67 Miles
www.silenceisviolence.org
