Protesters Pledge to Fight Back in Paris Dragging Case
- By Deric Muhammad
- Published 06/17/2009
- Political
- Unrated
Deric Muhammad
Deric Muhammad is a Houston-based community activist who blogs at http://www.askbroderic.blogspot.com.
PARIS- A peaceful gathering almost turned violent when protesters rallying for justice in the dragging death case of Brandon McClelland faced off with Ku Klux Klan members on site to heckle a very serious issue. Police broke up the melee before it became violent, but the face-off was a sign of the strong spirit of protesters who sent a message to the criminal justice system in Lamar County; “We will not ADJUST to that which is UNJUST.”
Emotions ran high as the crowd of over 200 protesters responded to a judge’s decision to release Shannon Keith Finley and Charles Ryan Crostley after special prosecutor Toby Shook moved to dismiss the murder charges affiliated with McClelland’s death. The dragging death has been compared to the brutal murder of James Byrd in Jasper, Texas in 1998. Two weeks prior, a gravel truck driver came forth and signed a affidavit claiming that he “may have run over something” the night of Brandon’s murder. The gravel truck driver was granted immunity.
When Brandon was last seen he was arguing with Finley during a late beer run, according to witnesses. The three were said to be acquaintances who grew up in the small town of Paris together. Finley has a prior conviction of manslaughter. The morning following the argumentative beer run Brandon McClelland’s body parts were found gruesomely strewn the length of at least 70 feet along a county road near the Oklahoma border.
Finley fled to Kansas and had to be extradited back to Lamar County. The truck that was driven that night was found washed down and thoroughly bleached to hide DNA traces. However, according to investigators, traces of blood were found on the truck’s undercarriage.
Witnesses testified that either one or both of the defendants admitted to running over and dragging Brandon, as well. But evidently this was not enough for Prosecutor Shook who moved to dismiss the charges citing lack of evidence. “They killed my baby and ya’ll just let them go like that,” said Jacqueline McClelland, Brandon’s mother through a megaphone. “I knew this was nothing but a set up from the start. But if I have to go to my grave doing it, I’ll get justice for my son.”
The protest, called by Paris activists, the New Black Panther Party and others, was held in front of the Lamar County courthouse. Chants of “no justice, no peace” rang loudly as outraged residents in Paris vowed to organize for justice. “It’s my son today, but next time it’ll be yours if we don’t stick together,” screamed Ms. McClelland who is affectionately known as “Ms. Jackie.”
Other speakers included Krystal Muhammad (New Black Panther Party), Houston-based community activist Deric Muhammad, Anthony Bond (founder of the Irving NAACP), Jim Blackwell (Tarrant County Local Organizing Committee), Concerned Citizens for Racial Equality in Paris, Activist Brenda Cherry and the family of Brandon McClelland.
MASSIVE RALLY SET FOR JULY 21st
After the courthouse rally, organizers held a planning meeting for a massive rally set for Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 9a.m. in front of the Paris courthouse. The day of the planned rally coincides with the date of the court date set for the murder trial. “Since they won’t try them in the courts, then the people will try them in front of the court,” said Sis. Krystal Muhammad representing the Panther Party.
There is also a huge campaign to encourage U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to come and listen to the concerns of residents in Paris. Holder gave a speech during Black history month calling for more honest dialogue on race in America. Protesters believe that Paris is the perfect place to start citing that if you can improve race relations in Paris, Texas you can improve race relations anywhere.
For more information call (713)261-3558.
Jacqueline McClelland angrily speaks to protesters concerning the release of two White men
previously charged with the dragging death of her son, Brandon. Standing with McClelland is
Deric Muhammad ot the Nation of Islam, New Black Panther Party members and some of her relatives.
Emotions ran high as the crowd of over 200 protesters responded to a judge’s decision to release Shannon Keith Finley and Charles Ryan Crostley after special prosecutor Toby Shook moved to dismiss the murder charges affiliated with McClelland’s death. The dragging death has been compared to the brutal murder of James Byrd in Jasper, Texas in 1998. Two weeks prior, a gravel truck driver came forth and signed a affidavit claiming that he “may have run over something” the night of Brandon’s murder. The gravel truck driver was granted immunity.
When Brandon was last seen he was arguing with Finley during a late beer run, according to witnesses. The three were said to be acquaintances who grew up in the small town of Paris together. Finley has a prior conviction of manslaughter. The morning following the argumentative beer run Brandon McClelland’s body parts were found gruesomely strewn the length of at least 70 feet along a county road near the Oklahoma border.
Finley fled to Kansas and had to be extradited back to Lamar County. The truck that was driven that night was found washed down and thoroughly bleached to hide DNA traces. However, according to investigators, traces of blood were found on the truck’s undercarriage.
Witnesses testified that either one or both of the defendants admitted to running over and dragging Brandon, as well. But evidently this was not enough for Prosecutor Shook who moved to dismiss the charges citing lack of evidence. “They killed my baby and ya’ll just let them go like that,” said Jacqueline McClelland, Brandon’s mother through a megaphone. “I knew this was nothing but a set up from the start. But if I have to go to my grave doing it, I’ll get justice for my son.”
The protest, called by Paris activists, the New Black Panther Party and others, was held in front of the Lamar County courthouse. Chants of “no justice, no peace” rang loudly as outraged residents in Paris vowed to organize for justice. “It’s my son today, but next time it’ll be yours if we don’t stick together,” screamed Ms. McClelland who is affectionately known as “Ms. Jackie.”
Other speakers included Krystal Muhammad (New Black Panther Party), Houston-based community activist Deric Muhammad, Anthony Bond (founder of the Irving NAACP), Jim Blackwell (Tarrant County Local Organizing Committee), Concerned Citizens for Racial Equality in Paris, Activist Brenda Cherry and the family of Brandon McClelland.
MASSIVE RALLY SET FOR JULY 21st
After the courthouse rally, organizers held a planning meeting for a massive rally set for Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 9a.m. in front of the Paris courthouse. The day of the planned rally coincides with the date of the court date set for the murder trial. “Since they won’t try them in the courts, then the people will try them in front of the court,” said Sis. Krystal Muhammad representing the Panther Party.
There is also a huge campaign to encourage U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to come and listen to the concerns of residents in Paris. Holder gave a speech during Black history month calling for more honest dialogue on race in America. Protesters believe that Paris is the perfect place to start citing that if you can improve race relations in Paris, Texas you can improve race relations anywhere.
For more information call (713)261-3558.
Jacqueline McClelland angrily speaks to protesters concerning the release of two White men
previously charged with the dragging death of her son, Brandon. Standing with McClelland is
Deric Muhammad ot the Nation of Islam, New Black Panther Party members and some of her relatives.