Officer James Hinson: “From ‘Hosanna’ to ‘Crucify Him!’”
posted: October 25, 2006 | category: Uncategorized
tags: news, police
Supporters of GPD Officer James Hinson gathered for a press conference today at the New Light Baptist Church on Willow Road in Greensboro, a fitting setting for the Biblical analogies used by several pastors who spoke on Hinson’s behalf.
Describing the effect the GPD scandal has had on Lt. Hinson and his children, Hinson’s pastor, the Rev. Cardes Brown, said, “It’s something to go from ‘Hosanna’ to ‘Crucify him!’… That’s a real traumatic journey.” Indeed, Hinson was lauded for his contributions to the department and the community right up to the time that the accusations against him began.
Hinson’s attorney, Ken Free, began the press conference by reading from a prepared statement (available here) which included a timeline of events that begins with Hinson discovering a tracking device on his vehicle and ends with him being cleared of all charges in five separate investigations.
Free’s statement references the appearance of the RMA report on a local web site: “As a result of the RMA being on the internet at www.greensboro101.com everyone can read and know the real truth, surrounding the former Chief Wray Administration and Lieutenant Hinson… The report confirms that the suspension of lieutenant Hinson on June 17th 2005 was unnecessary and inappropriate.”
Gladys Shipman, President of the Greensboro chapter of the NAACP, began her remarks with “Thank you to the RMA report.” Shipman said that a “limited review” of the report confirmed her concerns and “suggests unfair treatment” of black officers. She called for city leaders to “apologize or charge them.”
Attorney Romallus Murphy noted that officers within the police department were being “targeted because of their race” and said that’s “the angle that the NAACP is concerned about.”
The Rev. Cardes Brown, Hinson’s pastor, expressed concerns about the “stall tactic” and “delay in bringing closure,”, concerns echoed by many of the other speakers. Brown said that after five investigations, the process had cleared Hinson, but “revealed guilt” in other officers who are still on the police force. Brown stated that city “cannot rest” until we face the full extent of the corruption in the police department.
The Rev. Nelson Johnson of the Beloved Community Center and Faith Community Church spoke about the “culture of racism [that] links various episodes” in our city’s history, and said he believes that the treatment of Hinson is symbolic of that culture. He suggests that this is “yet another opportunity” for city leaders to face and overcome our city’s flaws.
The pastor of St. James Baptist Church spoke of “inequalities in the justice system” and asked that city leaders “treat this fairly without racism being present.”
Guilford County Commissioner Skip Alston suggested that “if it had been a white officer, it would have already been resolved… but there’s no rush to clear his name.” Alston contended that the situation “calls for a citizens’ review board.”
Several speakers highlighted their desire for truth, justice, community, and most of all, for closure of this issue for Lt. Hinson and his family.
After the speakers made their opening statements, they asked for questions from the media. A reporter immediately asked if allegations against Officer Hinson reported in the Rhino Times were true, prompting a comment from a local blogger.
Reporter: “Is everything in there a lie?”
Ken Free (Hinson attorney): “Strong word!”
Ben Holder: “Justice is, too.”
Free commented that allegations that Hinson “double-billed” Harris Teeter had proved to be unfounded and said, “You’re only getting one side of the story.” But he didn’t specifically address the more salacious allegations. Free also asked that the media respect GPD officers, who are under a gag order, and not question them.
Free was then asked, “Are you here because of the Rhino?” Free responded, “I’m here because there’s a human being behind the story.” He then talked about how Hinson, his family, and his children have been hurt by the media coverage, and noted that Hinson doesn’t understand why “his name is being run through the mud when he’s been cleared.”
Free was asked why, if Wray had the evidence to fire Hinson, he didn’t do so? Free responded that it was because Wray didn’t have the evidence. And Free asked, rhetorically, why Wray would say that Hinson was “the right man for the project” to head up the H.E.L.P. House for prostitutes if he had evidence in the allegations against him.
Referencing the Bledsoe series in the Rhino, the Rev. Cardes Brown said that they “assassinate the character of this young man (Hinson). He was not perfect, but I dare say none of us are.” Brown contends that the articles attempt to “discredit [Hinson] to say Chief Wray was doing a wonderful job [and] it’s obvious now that he was not.”
Attorney Ken Free said that he would like to have “a dialogue about resolving the issue” with attorney Alan Duncan of Smith, Moore, the law firm representing the City, “but they aren’t prepared to talk at this time… They keep saying they have new info.”
Asked why Hinson wasn’t present at the press conference, Free responded, “He’s under a gag order.”
Skip Alston was asked why he is so confident in Hinson. He replied, “Until he’s charged and proven guilty, I’m standing by him. He’s on the force right now.”
Gladys Shipman added, “The integrity of our city leaders is on the line. He’s on the force with all these allegations out there.”
Responding to a question about what Hinson’s supporters will do if the City doesn’t apologize or charge Hinson, as requested, the Rev. Cardes Brown said, “There’s a desire for resolution through discussion… There are strategies that can be employed that would say that we’re a divided city… If we’re not a part of the community, then we’ll form our own community.”
Romallus Murphy added, “It’s not a black problem. It’s a problem directed at black people. Greensboro is going to have to address that problem.”
One reporter asked about the references to “culture of racism” and then noted that the City says that trust and bad management were the problems in the Wray administration. She then asked if Free thought David Wray was a racist. His answer: “I don’t know. I will say I agree with the city.”
Free was also asked how he felt about the person who leaked the RMA report. He said that he has “mixed emotions.” He is “relieved that the truth is out there” but doesn’t “want it to be thought that our camp did it.”
The Rev. Cardes Brown added his concern for “a Council person who has done nothing and to this day has done nothing… a person who has been demonized. I support that person and I think it’s wrong.”
Update: News & Record coverage here.
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8 Responses to “Officer James Hinson: “From ‘Hosanna’ to ‘Crucify Him!’””
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Thanks CM.
You’re welcome.
[…] Rev. Cardes Brown: “There’s a desire for resolution through discussion… There are strategies that can be employed that would say that we’re a divided city… If we’re not a part of the community, then we’ll form our own community.” Romallus Murphy added, “It’s not a black problem. It’s a problem directed at black people. Greensboro is going to have to address that problem.” […]
great reporting, CM.
Thanks.
Nice work Michele.
Thank you.
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