Family Seeks Justice for Jonathan – Unarmed Mississippi Man’s Family Speaks Out in The Aftermath of Police Choking Death
2015/07/16 –
Family Seeks Justice For Jonathan – Unarmed Mississippi Man’s Family Speaks Out in The Aftermath of Police Choking Death
STONEWALL, MS
On July 17th of 2014 the tragic last words “I Can’t Breathe” were uttered by Eric Garner as he was choked to death by New York police officers. Nearly One year to the day, tragedy strikes again in the case of Jonathan Sanders, a 39 year old father of two and avid horse trainer, choked to death by police officer, Kevin Herrington in Stonewall, MS. According to eyewitness accounts of the events, much like Garner, Jonathan’s last words were “I Can’t Breathe! I Can’t Breathe!” According to eyewitnesses that saw the incident from start to tragic finish, the chokehold was administered without provocation nor resistance from Sanders.
Under the dark cloud of a looming history of civil rights struggle, systematic injustice, & current discourse surrounding the confederate battle flag that flys outside the state’s Capitol, the all too familiar phenomenon of unarmed, black, & killed extrajudicially by a police officer is especially poignant particularly in a town so entrenched in confederate history that its namesake is that of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson.
The Sanders Family is represented by Attorney Chokwe Antar Lumumba and Attorney C.J. Lawrence of Lumumba And Associates of Jackson, MS.
The preliminary autopsy in the death of Jonathan Sanders determined that the cause of death was manual asphyxiation. Eyewitnesses report having seen Officer Kevin Herrington choking Jonathan Sanders continuously for over 20 minutes. The preliminary autopsy report determined that the manner of death was homicide. The community and the attorneys for Jonathan Sanders feel that this is enough to establish probable cause exists with which to indict Officer Herrington.
On Saturday July 18 at 11 am, Jonathan Sanders, A man fondly remembered by citizens within his community, will be laid to rest at the Family Life Center Church in Quitman, MS. Jonathan is survived by his Mother, Ms. Frances Sanders, two young children, and his sister, Nicole. On Sunday July 19 there will be a press conference, memorial and rally for justice at 5:00 p.m. in Stonewall, MS.
A network of activists from around the country have been in communication regarding the events surrounding the death of Jonathan Sanders and are prepared to move forward in pursuit of justice for which the Sanders Family now pleas.
