Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Feb. 7, 2014, edition 1 / Page 11
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SPORTS FEBRUARY 7, 2014 Cop indicted by second grand jury for fatal shooting BY ALEXANDRA HARIDOPOLOS SwFWi On Sept 14, 2013, around 2:30 a.m. in Charlotte, N.C., Jonathan FerreU crashed his car in Bradfield Farm, a subdivision 17 miles from downtown Charlotte. Instantly, he kicked out his back window to free himself from the wreckage. After he could not find his cell phone, an injured Ferrell approached the closest home in the neighborhood. A woman, home alone with her infant daughter, answered. According to Cfw, before even listening to Ferrell's situation, she panicked and called 911. "1 need help," the woman told the 911 operator. "There's a guy breaking in my fix)nt door. He's trying to kick it down." Moments later, the police arrived. One of the three officers tried to use a taser on Ferrell. He missed. Officer Randall Kerrick, only three years older than Ferrell, fired 12 shots, 10 of which hit and fatally wounded Ferrell. 'Terrell's death, and so many like it, are part of society's culture of fear of young, black males," said Assistant Professor of Justice and Policy Studies Barbara Lawrence. "An officer's legal use of force must match the force being used in the encoimter. "Statistically, you do not often see yoimg black men shooting at jjolice officers." At the time of his death FerreU was imarmed. He would have turned 25 last October. "He was only seeking help," said Georgia, FerreU's moffier, in a MSNBC interview. According to The New York Times, the results of the autopsy found the buUets that hit FerreU had traveled downward, suggesting that at the time of the shooting. University, a historicaUy black university in TaUahassee, FerreU had moved to Charlotte to be with his fiancee, his high school sweetheart. FerreU played footbaU for FAMU from 2009-2010. TragicaUy, FerreU's death is reminiscent of other black male Uves stolen by poUce brutaUty: Oscar Grant, Kimani Gray, Amadou DiaUo and so many others. "The story is shocking, but not surprising," said junior and Community and Justice Studies first time in over 30 years that a Charlotte-Mecklenburg poUce officer has been charged with an on-duty shooting. And as unarguable as that is, the use of lethal force also reflected "the same narrative that has always portrayed black males as a danger," said Director for Diversity Training and Development Jorge ZebaUos. Although most poUce officers must pass a "Use of Force" test to carry weapons, additional protocol should follow. "Ferrell's death, and so many like it, are part of society's culture of fear of young, black males." Barbara Lawrence, assistant professor of justice and policy studies FerreU was already on his knees or lying on the ground. "WeU, I thought about the Trayvon Martin case," said sophomore footbaU player Daytwyn Rascoe. "I thought it was sad that someone who was unarmed would be lcx)ked at as a threat." In addition, the toxicology report showed no signs of alcohol or drug use. After graduating from Florida Agncnjltural and Mechanical major Sara Minsky. "It makes sense that 911 was c^ed, given that FerreU was injured, but why didn't an ambulance come?" The Mecklenburg Police Department was quick to state that Kerrich's achons were "excessive." Although the first grand jury acquitted Kerrick, Attorney General Roy Cooper resubmitted the case to a second grand jury, which found him guUty of volimtary manslaughter on Jan. 28. The indicffinent marked the "(There should be) more emphasis and training on cultural sensitivity," said Lawrence. "In many instances, you are usuaUy operating on a yoxmg officer's fears that are simultaneously influenced by cultural cnies." Lawrence works with the Greensboro PoUce Department's Bias Based PoUcing Committee to incorporate impUdt bias education in all trainings throughout the department. She also found Kerrick's indictment to be a surprise and a hopeful sign of change. "I've never had a trusting relationship with the cops," senior footbaU player Kevin Tiller said. In his experience, "cops have always been late." "Sometimes (cops) have too much authority," said Rascoe. Another student's reflection touches on how Guilford's own Judicial Affairs and Public Safety bodies do not function outside of cultural patterns. "I feel like if something major would happen. Public Safety wouldn't be able to help me at all," said the anonymous student. "I don't want to count on them ... and the same for the Judicial Affairs office." Without intentionality from administrative offices to educate workers on radalized dynamics, there is no reason why Guilford would operate differently than the outside world. "Folks that are working here receive the same messages as everybody else does," said ZebaUos. Guilford's departments may benefit from a sensitivity training of their own. FerreU's murder should not only be a catalyst for the Charlotte^, Police Department to incorporate educational and reflective sensitivity trainings, but our own "anti-radst" institution as weU. Seahawks embarrass Broncos in Super Bowl BY IAN PENNY Staff Wktbk On paper, it was biUed by BleacherReport. com as "the ultimate example of ffie immovable ol^ed; meeting the unstoppable force." hi retrospect, noUiing could be further fiom the dominating performance put on display. '1 didn't expec* a blowout," said senior Daniel Veizaga. The Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos, two teams hailing from ffie West scjuared off in Super Bowl XI Vin The Seahawks boasted ffie best defense, in terms of scoring and yardage, during ffie regular season. By these same measures, ffie Broncos laid daim to ffie best regular-season offense. "As an athlete. I've been told defense wins championshijs and offense wins games," said senior footbaU player Nick Meaiite. "The defensive scheme gave Peyton trouble ffie entire game." There were plenty of stoiylines leading up to ffie Feb. 2 matchup at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Two years ago, five-time Assodated Press NFL MVP quarterback Peyton Manning, formerly of ffie Indianapolis Colts, was brought into ffie fold in Denver with a five- year $96 miUion contract. The Seattle Seahawks cataclysmically defeated the Denver Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIll. The Seahawks, in contrast, snagged quarterback RusseU Wilson for a four-year $2.99 miUion in ffie 2012 NFL Draft "The pieces just feU into place," said Michael Gatton '13. These past two years, both squads have posted back-to-back 10-win seasons. Ninety days after open-heart suigei^i^ Denver head coach John Fox hoped to leaci his team to a championship. \^ctoiy was not in ffie cards. Just seconds into ffie game, ffie baU saUed past Manning's helmet into ffie end zone, resulting in a safety. "The first snap was reaUy disappointing," said junior B)rron HamUton. "It was a real s— show." Weather was thought be a foctor in ffie contest. "Defense does weU in cold weather," said Early CoUege senior Landon Fried, giving ffie edge to the Seahawks. Though Peyton Manning has an 8-11 record in games when ffie temperature is below 40 degrees, ffie temperature at kickoff was 49 degrees — nowhere near freezing. Students gathered around televisions across campus in venues such as ffie Milner Hall lobby, a bustling hub of fans ranging from ffie casual to hardcore. "Itis a very exciting atmosphere," said first- year tennis player Mara Stem. By ffie end of ffie first half, ffie Seahawks held a 22-0 lead. "The Seattle defense is very good, but Peyton will find a way," said first-year b^eball player Chase Massey, days before ffie game. Any thought of a comeback, however, was shattered when Percy Harvin returned ffie second-half kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown. The shutout continued until ffie end of ffie third quarter, when Manning passed for his only touchdown, and ffie Broncos made a two-point conversion. Pete Carroll, rer^tly voted by 22 percent of NFL players ffie most popular coach in ffie league, became ffie first coach to hoist a BCS National Championship and Super Bowl trophy. Turnovers and a deficient rushing attack were major factors m Denver's defeat. Manning threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith. Smith also recovered a fumble during ffie game, locking up Super Bowl MVP. The game made its mark in history, ending with ffie third largest margin of victory in Super Bowl histoiy. Manning now has an 11-12 playoff record. The loss, his second in ffie Super Bowl, casts doubt on his status as ffie best quarterback of all time. "Peyton has a great legacy during regular season," said Mearite. "He's a great quarterback, but he can't be considered ffie best after this game." As for RusseU Wilson and ffie Seahawks defense, they get to bring ffie first Lombardi Trophy home in franchise history.
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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