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Head of Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus no longer opposes Pickering JACKSON, Miss. (API - The head of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus says he na Jbnger opposes U.S. Dis trict Judge Charles Pickering's appeals court nomination - a surprising turnabout that could cost him his position. State Rep. Phillip West, a Democrat, said in statement last week that he was SDeakine onlv for him self and not for the full caucus. The 45 member caucus has vigorously opposed Pickering's nomination to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Pickering, nominated to the New Orleans-based court by President Bush, has been criticized by black organiza tions for his record on civil rights issues, including his decision to seek a lighter sentence for a convicted cross-burner. In February, Pickering and his son, U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering. R-Miss., met privately with caucus members, most of whom had signed a petition stating their opposition to the nomination. The judge explained how he took heat for testifying against a Ku Klux Klan imperial wizard. Sam Bowers, in a 1968 murder trial. "That struck home with me because I know that feeling," said West, who has also been active in the National Associa tion for the Advancement of Colored People. "I have been ostracized and shunned by both blacks and whites and char acterized as a racist myself." West said he waited to take a public stance on the Picker ing nomination because he wanted to persuade the caucus to drop its opposition. When the caucus didn't act. he said, he issued his own statement. Bush renominated Charles Pickering this year after oppo sition from key Democrats derailed the nomination a year ago. The Republicans took back control of the Senate this year. Tuskegee Airman 'Doc' Perez mourned (Special to the NNPA) - Andrew "Doc" Perez, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, the World War II fighter squadron that never lost a bomber, died May 5 at ManorCare Health Ser vices in Oak Lawn, III. Perez was affectionately known as "Doc" after he received a doctorate of optometry from the Monroe School. The school later became part of the Illinois College of Optometry. In the 1960s and '70s. Perez taught math and science at Chicago's Hyde Park Academy High School. His students included Illinois Rep. Connie Howard (D-C'hicago). "I had known him as Mr. Perez, my science teacher," Howard told reporters. Howard had last seen Perez when the Tuskegee Airmen turned out in support of the recently closed Meigs Field, a public airport in Chicago. Perez served as first vice president of the Chicago chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen for two terms, where he volunteered with the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles flight program. The program has introduced more than 6,000 Chica go-area children to aviation, according to Friends of Meigs Field member Steve Whitney. Serving with more than 900 airmen, Perez fought alongside some of the nation's first black aviators. Recognition for the ser vicemen. however, didn't come until long after they endured systemic discrimination and the prevailing notion in the military that African-Americans didn't have the skills to fly fighter air craft. Despite their success, the airmen were often confronted with requirements such as having to give up train seats to German prisoners of war, Perez and other airmen told the Chicago Tri bune in 2000. Perez is survived by his wife. Bobbie. Woman involved in Lyons scandal dies TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - The woman whose relationship with Rev. Henry Lyons led to the downfall of his ministry and the revelation of a massive financial scandal involving the Nation al Baptist Convention died in prison last week, federal authori ties said. She was 46. Bernice Edwards died at the federal prison in Pekin. III., where she was due to be released in June. Edwards was serving a nine-month prison term for violating her probation on federal tax evasion charges. Edwards died after a two-month hospitalization for a chron ic pulmonary condition, prison officials said in a release. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death, offi cials said. Edwards was a convicted embezzler who was working as a publicist for the organization Lyons headed, the National Baptist Convention. It is one of the nation's largest black church denomina tions. In 1997, the reverend's wife, Deborah Lyons, discovered her husband secretly owned a $700,000 waterfront mansion with Lyons and set the mansion on fire. The ensuing investigation revealed that Lyons and Edwards had used church proceeds to buy other properties, jewelry and luxu ry cars. Prosecutors accused Lyons and Edwards of stealing more than $4 million from corporations wanting to sell cemetery products, life insurance policies and credit cards to the Nashville-based convention's 8.5 million members. Edwards, the mother of three children, had gone to work for Lyons after leaving a trail of criminal charges and financial mis deeds in Milwaukee. There, she was convicted of embezzling federal funds from a school for at-risk children. In 1999, Edwards was acquitted in state court of racketeer ing. but later that year was convicted in federal court on two counts of tax evasion. She was sentenced to 21 months in prison and three years of probation. The Chronicle (USPS 067-910) was established by Ernest H. Pitt and Ndubisi Egemonye in 1974 and is published every Thursday by Winston-Salem Chronicle Publishing Co. Inc., 617 N. Liberty Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Peri odicals postage paid at Winston-Salem, N.C. Annual sub scription price is $30.72. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Chronicle. P.O. Box 1636 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-1636 Lyons West Suit questions cops' role in death Rising football star was just 22 when he died last year BY GENOA BARROW THE SACRAMENTO OBSERVER SACRAMENTO, Calif. (NNPA) - On May 30. 2002. Anthony Vontoure's roommates thought he needed medical assis tance and called for help. Instead of an ambulance, officers with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department arrived. What happened next is the subject of a wrongful death law suit, filed by renowned civil rights attorney John Bums on behalf of Vontoure's family. Named in the suit are the County of Sacramento, Sheriff Lou Blame, an Officer T. Wetzel, and an Officer G. Saunders. "The reason for filing is to find out what happened." said Anthony's father/Michael Von toure Sr. He was joined at the fil ing at the downtown U.S. District Court building by his former wife and Anthony's mother. Emma; current wife, Mari: and eldest son. Michael Jr.. "We couldn't and didn't get any information from any offi cials. So we asked Mr. Burris to look into it and see what informa tion he could get concerning what actually happened. We didn't get a chance to see his body; we did n't get a chance to see the police report," Vontoure said. The Sacramento Coroner's Office ruled that 22-year-old Anthony Vontoure's death was caused by "acute cocaine intoxi cation." While the Vontoures con cede that a "trace" amount of cocaine was present in their son's body at the time of his death, they maintain that excessive force by the sheriff's deputies killed him. An excerpt from the lawsuit reads: "Plaintiffs further allege on information and belief that during the straggle with Anthony Von toure defendant Officer Wetzel or his trainee, defendant Officer Saunders, assaulted and battered Anthony Vontoure, causing injuries to his face, head and body. Plaintiffs allege that defen dant officers used excessive and unreasonable force against the decedent. Plaintiffs further allege that defendant Officer Wetzel and/or defendant Officer Saun ders asphyxiated decedent Antho ny Vontoure by use of a choke hold on his neck or by some other means of restricting his ability to breathe." The suit also alleges the offi cers failed to call for needed med ical assistance until after they determined Vontoure was already deceased. In order to get answers, the family had an independent autop sy performed. "That allowed us in many ways to compare what the coro ner said happened with what we believed happened." Burns said. "Having been involved with this case from the very (onset), I was able to, for myself, to observ er the body itself. I was somewhat shocked by the vhrious discol orations that were consistent with braising and trauma on the body," he continued. See Lawsuit on A10 Photo by Larry Dalion/Sacramento Observer Emma Vontoure holds a picture of her son, Anthony, in his University of Washington football uniform. Jackson criticizes 'Bama for picking white coach THE ASSOCIATED PRKSS MONTGOMKRY, Ala. - The Rev. Jesse Jackson criti cized the U n i - veristy of Alabama Friday for selecting Mike Shula as its new head football coach over Green Bay assistant Sylvester Croom. Shula is white and Croom is black. "The SEC maintains a cul ture of excluding blacks beyond the playing field." Jackson said in a statement. "White players, beyond the playing field, can expect to become coaches, athletic direc tors and college presidents. Blacks have no life beyond the playing field." Alabama President Robert Witt and Athletic Director M a I Moore told Jackson before they hired S h u I a that they were Croom considering minority candi-" dates for the job. Croom was interviewed last week along with Shula and Carolina Panthers coach Homes 1 year and older need to be checked for termites "A flea circus is a ? good act but it takes itr mires nmrmg a home down." Call Triad Pes! Control 1535 S. Martin Luther King Drive Winston-Salem, NC INDEX OPINION. JL6 SPORTS BI RELIGION. BS CLASSIFIEDS 69 HEALTH. C3 ENTERTAINMENT....C7 2 CALENDAR C9 Jackson Richard Williamson. He issued a, statement Fri day extending his congratula tions to Shula. "To the numerous Alabama fans and former players who expressed their desire to see me return to Tuscaloosa, I express my sincere gratitude," Croon said. Jackson called Alabama's efforts "smoke and mirrors." Alabama Sen. Charles Steele, president of the state's chapter of the Southern Christ ian Leadership Conference, was equally scathing. "It's a sad day in Alabama," Steele told The Tuscaloosa News Friday. "They missed an opportunity. It's been 40 years since George Wallace stood in the schoolhouse door at the university. This would have sent a great message to the world that Alabama has changed." Steele said he believes Croom was never seriously considered for the job. "It's a disservice to people who are looking for the Ameri can dream in terms of hard work, paying their dues, getting prepared and qualified, and then your own refuses to accept you because of the color of your skin." he said. Jackson said he plans to dis cuss the situation with the NCAA and the Black Coaches Association. * May be used for closing costs and/or 1% down program. Limited time offer. Certain restrictions apply. Inventory homes only. Exceptional Standard Features, Great Floorplans S A Convenient Location! ? Fireplace Per Plan ? Deck ? Brick Foundation ? Crawlspace ? Crown Mouldings on First Floor Homes from $1 15,900 Canaan PlacT?8^ NORTH Please call 336-784-9161 (or more information Visit Our Model Sun-Fri 2-6, Sat 10-6 ^ Ww- 1-40 toMrfrtm Luther Kinfl, H-1> to New Wdlkerttm Rd. N. 11 id ra Anderson Builders, Inc. L<*? on Caiwr Sthonl Rd. Rgftl on Ldnsmg Or CwmnPUy North is tmyturn^K. -
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