Sunday, June 17, 2012

Willie Grimes, May 21, 1969

Willie Grimes was killed on May 21, 1969 on the campus of North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, North Carolina following a day of protests and unrest. Considered to be a quiet and reserved student, his death was tragic and was never solved despite students saying they saw a white police officer firing shots at them that fateful day.

Danroy "DJ" Henry, October 17, 2010

Pace University senior and football player Danroy "DJ" Henry was shot and killed by Pleasantville, New York police officer Aaron Hess after being approached by Mount Pleasant police officer Ronald Beckley (Other reports list him as having the last name Gagnon). The ensuing chaos resulted in Hess jumping on top of the car and shooting into the car after Henry lost control due to being shot.

Jesse Belvin and Wife JoAnn, February 6, 1960

A hit singer who co-wrote the song "Earth Angel" which later became the music group's The Penguins biggest hit was killed in a mysterious hate crime murder after receiving death threats for playing to an integrated audience in Little Rock, Arkansas. A white police officer who came to the scene of the car crash which killed Mr. and Mrs. Jesse and JoAnn Belvin said he believed the tires had been tampered with, but the crash was ruled an accident. Belvin had received death threats before and during the concert which had to be stopped twice before proceeding due to violent agitators in the crowd who did not believe in race mixing. UPDATE: A request has been made to induct Jesse Belvin into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The requirements are that the artist must have released an album. His wife JoAnn Belvin who was talented in her own right did not fit the requirements due to her having not released an album.)

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Leo Alexander Jones, March 24, 1998

Leo Jones was executed on March 24, 1998 for the killing of Officer Thomas J. Szafranski on May 23, 1981 in Jacksonville, Florida. A fellow officer named Cleveland Smith always knew that Jones was innocent and was repeatedly harassed and intimidated for trying to seek justice for Jones in pursuit of the truth. Witnesses recanted their story and Jones himself reported being beaten in interrogation. He said a prayer to GOD and walked to his electrocution maintaining his innocence.