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A Slap in the Face of Justice

NNPA NEWSWIRE — On the day 44-year-old Pamela Turner was laid to rest, the officer who fatally killed her, Baytown Police Officer Juan Delacruz, was allowed to return to work after being placed on a mandatory three-day administrative leave, as if nothing ever happened.

Published

6 years ago

May 30, 2019

Oakland Post

U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee believes that Turner’s civil rights may have been violated and has called on the U.S. Department of Justice to launch a dual investigation. She believes that one investigation is needed to address whether Turner’s civil rights were indeed violated and the other investigation she is requesting surrounds Turner’s mental illness past, and whether there are some alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Baytown Officer Returns to Work on Day the Black Woman He Killed Was Memorialized

By Jeffrey L. Boney, Associate Editor Houston Forward Times, NNPA Newswire Contributor

On the day 44-year-old Pamela Turner was laid to rest, the officer who fatally killed her, Baytown Police Officer Juan Delacruz, was allowed to return to work after being placed on a mandatory three-day administrative leave, as if nothing ever happened.

The family expressed their outrage at the decision by the Baytown Police Department, along with several other individuals who have become involved with this case, after the Memorial Service held for Turner this past Thursday, May 24th at Lily Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

“We want Baytown, Texas to know that this is not something that you will brush under the rug and send the policeman back to work as if nothing ever happened,” said Rev. Al Sharpton who delivered the eulogy on behalf of the family. “If he’s going to work, you need to let him (Officer Delacruz) know that we are going to work too, getting justice for Pamela Turner.”

Sharpton continued, “Proverbs 6:16 says that God takes exception to those who shed innocent blood. At the end of the day, what did Pamela do? She tried to go home. She was only guilty of trying to go home. You restored this officer’s job, but who is going to restore Pamela, or her children or her loved ones?”

Attorney Benjamin Crump shared the details of an independent autopsy report that was done by Turner’s family, which described the graphic details of Turner’s death. According to the independent autopsy, out of the five bullets that came from Officer Delacruz’s gun, three of those bullets struck Turner from a distance. One shot hit Turner in the chest, another one in the abdomen and a final one struck her in the face, which left her face significantly disfigured and unrecognizable, according to the family.

“The details of this independent autopsy, coupled with the video that everyone has seen, make it clear as day…Officer Delacruz was not justified,” said Crump. “These key details show that Officer Delacruz did not have to shoot Pamela Turner. Pamela Turner posed no threat to him, whatsoever. We are calling on Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg to convene a grand jury without delay. It’s very clear that once you review that video, coupled with the autopsy, it tells you everything you need to know to arrive at how you present this evidence to a grand jury.”

“It is clear to me that Pamela Turner was mistreated as an individual, because it was known that she had mental health issues,” Congresswoman Jackson Lee stated. “Regardless of your ethnicity or your mental health status, no one should be treated without dignity and respect. It is imperative that we find out as much as we can about how Pamela Turner was treated and I believe there are significant pieces of evidence available to convene a grand jury in this matter.”

In the meantime, the Texas Rangers continue their investigation into the shooting and Harris County D.A. Ogg has stated that her office’s Civil Rights Division is currently investigating the case and would turn over all of their findings to a grand jury to make a determination on whether any charges should be filed against Officer Delacruz for his role in Turner’s brutal killing.

These past several days have been extremely tough for Turner’s family, but having the officer who fatally killed their loved one be allowed to return to work on what was supposed to be a day of comfort and reflection, and before a full investigation has even been concluded, was viewed as a huge slap in the face by Turner’s family, the family’s attorneys, Congresswoman Jackson Lee, Rev. Al Sharpton, community activists, members of the faith-based community and many other community leaders.

The day served as a difficult time for this grieving family, who simply wanted to focus on trying to celebrate the life and legacy of their precious loved one, but were instead forced to have the man who abruptly took Turner’s life in such an unsuspecting manner, on their minds that day.

Jeffrey Boney is a political analyst and frequent contributor for the NNPA Newswire and BlackPressUSA.com and the associate editor for the Houston Forward Times newspaper. Jeffrey is an award-winning journalist, dynamic, international speaker, experienced entrepreneur, business development strategist and founder and CEO of the Texas Business Alliance Follow Jeffrey on Twitter @realtalkjunkies.

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#NNPA BlackPress

Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

Published

6 days ago

May 30, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.

Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”

The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

#NNPA BlackPress

Hoover’s Commutation Divides Chicago as State Sentence Remains

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial.

Published

1 week ago

May 29, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal sentence for Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover has been commuted, but he remains incarcerated under a 200-year state sentence in Illinois. The decision by Donald Trump to reduce Hoover’s federal time has reignited longstanding debates over his legacy and whether rehabilitation or continued punishment is warranted. The commutation drew immediate public attention after music executive Jay Prince and artist Chance the Rapper publicly praised Trump’s decision. “I’m glad that Larry Hoover is home,” said Chance the Rapper. “He was a political prisoner set up by the federal government. He created Chicago Votes, mobilized our people, and was targeted for that.”

But Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, is not home—not yet. Now in federal custody at the Florence Supermax in Colorado, Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial. “There is a divide in the Black community here,” said Chicago journalist Jason Palmer during an appearance on the Let It Be Known morning program. “Some view Hoover as someone who brought structure and leadership. Others remember the violence that came with his organization.” Palmer explained that while Hoover’s gang originally formed for protection, it grew into a criminal network responsible for extensive harm in Chicago. He also noted that Hoover continued to run his organization from state prison using coded messages passed through visitors, prompting his transfer to federal custody.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is widely considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has not issued a statement. Palmer suggested that silence is strategic. “Releasing Hoover would create enormous political consequences,” Palmer said. “The governor’s in a difficult spot—he either resists pressure from supporters or risks national backlash if he acts.” According to Palmer, Hoover’s federal commutation does not make him a free man. “The federal sentence may be commuted, but he still has a 200-year state sentence,” he said. “And Illinois officials have already made it clear they don’t want to house him in state facilities again. They prefer he remains in federal custody, just somewhere outside of Colorado.”

Palmer also raised concerns about what Hoover’s case could signal for others. “When R. Kelly was convicted federally, state prosecutors in Illinois and Minnesota dropped their charges. If a president can commute federal sentences based on public pressure or celebrity support, others like R. Kelly or Sean Combs could be next,” Palmer said. “Meanwhile, there are thousands of incarcerated people without fame or access to public platforms who will never get that consideration.” “There are people who are not here today because of the violence connected to these organizations,” Palmer said. “That has to be part of this conversation.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

#NNPA BlackPress

WATCH: Five Years After George Floyd: Full Panel Discussion | Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real | Live Podcast Event

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

Published

1 week ago

May 28, 2025

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=OsNLWTz6jU0&feature=oembed

May 25, 2020. The world stopped and watched as a life was taken.

But what has happened since?

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

She shares reflections, insights, and the story of a community forever changed. What has a year truly meant, and where do we go from here?

This is more than just a date; it’s a moment in history. See what one leader in the Black press has to say about it.

Recorded live at UROC in Minneapolis, this powerful discussion features:

Panelists: