June 14th Weekly Update!!!
Date: Tue, Jun. 12, 2007
Dear Friends,
The news this week is as grim as the heat is high. At times likethese, we need to
come together in our communities, among friends, and remember to take care
of ourselves as well as each other. And remember that what ever you
can do, can make
a difference. On Thursday June 14th, there will be another pre-trial hearing in the
case of David Bonds, who has been charged in the murder of Dinneral
Shavers in December of last year. We are asking that all who can come
please join us at the hearing, which is on the docket for Section I,
Judge Raymond C. Bigelow. When we met with the ADA assigned to the
case early in the year, we were told that it was one of the rare
cases: the police had witnesses, and a weapon. Six months later,
there are still no ballistics results on the gun and the mother of the
young witnesses is reluctant to allow further testimony. Others who
were at the scene of the crime have decided to remain silent, and the
detective charged with bringing information in support of the case is
reluctant to ask for their testimony. This is how even a solid case
can begin to fall apart. Please join us at the hearing on Thursday
and let everyone know that we are watching:
9AM Thursday June 14th
Section I, Second Floor
2700 Tulane Avenue, (at Broad) This past week has been, unfortunately, typical. The "blip" that
Mayor Nagin spoke of in his State of the City has continued, at a rate
that will exceed 100 homicides by the end of June. From just this past week:
A nineteen year old, Persale Green, was gunned down with an AK-47 on
Tuesday night in the 1600 block of Baronne. On Saturday, Albert
Phillips was shot dead at the intersection of Spain and Marais. Also
on Saturday, Joseph Magee, 18, was shot and killed on 3400 block of
Touro. On Sunday Samuel Gonzales was shot at Napoleon and South
Claiborne. And on Monday nineteen year-old Daryll Williams was shot
in the head in Central City, and Robin Malta, a resident of the
Marigny, was apparently beaten to death in his home, just blocks from
Sound Cafe. Let's not forget them. (Friends of Robin will be gathering
Wednesday night at the corner of Royal and Clouet at 9pm.
From there they will walk to Royal and Port, stop by Robin Malta's home,
where there is already a small shrine. From there, on to Decatur and Barracks,
where Salon D'Malta is in the 1200 block, mid block on lakeside.) Nor should we forget that a year ago on June 17th, five teenagers were
shot and killed in Central City: Arsenio Hunter, 16; Warren Simeon, 17;
Iruan Taylor, 19; Marquis Hunter, 19; and Reggie Dantzler, 19.
Their killer may go free, too, due to a case built on testimony from
a reluctant witness. On a brighter note, last week's Speak Up program with students from
Rabouin and Douglass high schools was inspiring; the students who
shared their work are important members of our community and it was
terrific to see so many of you there to support them. Additionally,
we plan to bring our evening music clinics back for the summer,
beginning in July. If you are a musician who would like to volunteer
as part of this program, please contact us via email, or stop by and
leave a message at the Sound Cafe.
Sincerely,
Ken, Baty and Nakita
