Aiyana Jones killing turns spotlight on a nation hooked on reality TV

originally published by: Times Online
22nd May 2010

When police scooped up the limp body of Aiyana Jones last Sunday night they promised her father that she would be all right. They were wrong. She was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital, the victim of a police Swat team being filmed for a reality TV show.

Miss Jones went to sleep for the last time under the front window of her parents’ flat on Detroit’s violent and impoverished east side. A police bullet killed her later that night. The porch outside is now festooned with flowers, teddy bears and “you will be missed” balloons.

20 May 201016 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Video shows police fired into Detroit home

originally published by: WWJ Newsradio 950
17th May 2010

Southfield attorney Geoffery Fieger, who is representing family members of a 7-year-old girl who was fatally shot by an officer during a week end raid, says he has video footage of the incident.

During an afternoon news conference, Fieger said the footage shot by the A and E crime reality show, “The First 48” shows at lease one shot was fired after police threw a stun grenade into the home.

Authorities have claimed the gun was fired by accident when police broke into the apartment early Sunday, striking the girl in the neck. The video is about 3 to 4 minutes in length. “As Mayor Bing indicated, the madness has got to stop,” Fieger said. “I agree. The madness also involves the police department not coming forward and being honest,” he said.

20 May 201016 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Blair Peach’s brother speaks out

originally published by: stuff.co.nz
28th April 2010

An apology over Blair Peach’s death at a 1979 demonstration in London would be of “no consequence” unless police unreservedly acknowledged he was killed by an officer, his brother says. Previously secret police reports have revealed that the 33-year-old New Zealander was almost certainly killed by a police officer.

Metropolitan police had resisted releasing the documents for decades, but made them available on their website yesterday, saying there would be no further investigation into Mr Peach’s death.

The teacher and peace campaigner died from a blow to the head while marching against the National Front movement in Southall, west London. His partner, Celia Stubbs, and members of his family in New Zealand have campaigned for the release of the police inquiries into his death for nearly 30 years.