‘Caring’ was a way of life for former state lawmaker Roscoe Dixon. Page 3
‘The State of our School District is Strong!’ Perspective, Page 4
April 22 - 28, 2021
VOL. 70, No. 16
www.tsdmemphis.com
$1.00
Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! Feeling the Chauvin verdict in Memphis by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Moments after a Hennepin County jury delivered a triple-guilty verdict in the trial of former Memphis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin, echoes of that decision registered in Greater Memphis. The New Tri-State Defender reached out to an array of people in pursuit of a reflection of those reverberations. Here is a sampling of what we heard:
“Finally, a Black life matters – finally.” – Pastor Bill Adkins, Greater Imani Cathedral of Faith “I looked at Chauvin as the verdict was read. I looked into his eyes. And you could tell from the body language that for the first time, he knew that justice was right there about to engulf him. He could finally see and hear George Floyd…you could see the spirit of white privilege leave his body. It was a good day for justice, but that little girl still
won’t have her father, George Floyd…Still, it was a good day. Today proved that justice is possible in America.” – State Rep. G. A. Hardaway, (D-93) “This is wonderful. I feel so wonderful. It feels good because at this moment, there is justice in America. I’m feeling marvelous.” – Frank Gotti, Rap/Hip-Hop Artist
SEE GUILTY ON PAGE 6
Local pastor and activist hears Chauvin verdict at ‘Ground Zero’
Strickland’s choice for MPD director would be first female to serve by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Local pastor and activist Devante Hill was outside the courthouse in Downtown Minneapolis Tuesday (April 20) when the Derek Chauvin verdict was read. “I was overwhelmed with emotion,” Hill said. “It seems like it was 400 years overdue. America needs a heart transplant. Grassroots activists all over the country have driven this movement. No longer will we reach for low-hanging fruit. We want life-changing, transformational reform.” Chauvin is a former Minneapolis police officer, who was convicted by a jury for the murder of an African-American man, George Floyd, who died while Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck in a Memorial Day 2020 confrontation. The trial began two weeks ago. The jury began deliberations on Monday (May 19) and returned with three guilty verdicts after nearly 11 hours of deliberations. Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin, who had been free on bond, was taken into custody. Judge Peter A. Cahill is expected to sentence Chauvin in eight weeks. The combined maximum sentence for all three counts totals 75 years in prison, although a shorter sentence is likely under current sentencing guidelines. Hill flew to Minneapolis Tuesday morning at the behest of Ben Crump, who “felt
Standing in a street in Downtown Minneapolis, Memphis-area activist and pastor Devante Hill signals his support for empowerment. (Courtesy photo) like” the verdict would come in sometime Tuesday, Hill said. Crump is the attorney representing Floyd’s family. Crump also is founder of The Benjamin Crump Social Justice Institute (BCSJI), a nonprofit organization that fosters “a safeguard of the fundamental rights of every-
one, regardless of race, ethnic origin, gender identity, possessions, or socioeconomic status,” according to the website. Hill began his association with Crump during the attorney’s representation of
SEE VERDICT ON PAGE 6
COVID-19 UPDATE
COVID numbers troubling; Still short of ‘fourth wave’ by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Wednesday’s (April 22) new case number was 109, with one new death, officials said, but the transmission rate does not clearly indicate that Shelby County is hitting a fourth wave of the coronavirus. “I know there are some concerns because for several days, the new case daily number has gone back
Introduced by video as Mayor Jim Strickland’s nominee for Memphis Police Department director, Durham, North Carolina Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis said she comes from a military family of six children and that criminal justice always has been of interest to her. (Screen capture)
over 100,” said Shelby County Health Department Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Randolph. “While the numbers have increased, they are actually fluctuating. So, we are monitoring the situation.” Memphis Chief Operations Officer Doug McGowen, however, expressed concern in a Wednesday update that Shelby County may be “on the precipice of a fourth wave” of new infections.
The Health Department has recorded 94,069 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, including 109 new cases reported Wednesday. According the latest Health Department date, there were 1,688 active cases Wednesday. One new COVID-19 death was reported by the Health Department Wednesday. Officials said there have been 1,600 virus-related deaths. The local mor-
tality rate of the virus is 1.7 percent. Tuesday’s (April 21) new case number was 65, the first time that the number has been that low in nearly two weeks. Officials fear the low number is because of fewer people got tested over the weekend. Officials also said a drastic fall in vaccination numbers is a bit concerning.
SEE COVID ON PAGE 2
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland announced Monday that Durham, North Carolina Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis is his pick to become the next leader of the Memphis Police Department. If approved by the Memphis City Council, Davis would be the first woman to serve as police director and the first person from outside the MPD to lead the department since E. Winslow “Buddy” Chapman, whose tenure ended in 1983. The city council will take a vote in May on Davis’ new post. She is set to officially resign from her position in Durham on June 11. Davis has led the police department there since 2016. Strickland introduced Davis during a 30-minute video interview with Deidre Malone, president/CEO of The Carter Malone Group. The video was released to various news outlets and social media sites. It is also being shared over social media. Davis, an African-American, talked about her experience as deputy police chief in Atlanta and as chief in Durham. “Gun violence is the norm, and it shouldn’t be that way,” said Davis. “My heart has always been in the community. I care a lot about young people and the future of young people.” According to one city official, some misgivings have been expressed because Davis is a woman coming in from outside the city. “There has been an uproar in the community because a Black woman will be the new police chief,” said Memphis City Councilwoman Patrice Robinson. “Women bring special gifts and talents to a position just like a man does. This outcry is unfounded.” Robinson, whose district stretches
SEE POLICE ON PAGE 9