The FBI has formally launched an investigation into the demise of Dennoriss Richardson, a 39-year-old Black man who was discovered hanging in an deserted home in Colbert County, Alabama.
In response to the Related Press, this investigation started after a request from Sheriff Eric Balentine, who said that whereas his division was assured in its preliminary suicide ruling, they hoped an FBI evaluation would convey “extra peace of thoughts” to Richardson’s household.
The sheriff’s workplace initially categorised the demise as a suicide, however Richardson’s household and the area people have vehemently questioned this conclusion, citing years of mistrust in native legislation enforcement and a painful historical past of racially charged violence within the space.
“This Was Made To Look Like A Suicide” — Household Rejects Official Ruling
Richardson’s estranged spouse, Leigh Richardson, strongly disputes the suicide ruling. As reported by BOSSIP, she believes her husband’s demise was staged and informed AL.com, “This was made to appear like a suicide. It’s not a suicide.”
Leigh filed a lacking particular person’s report with Sheffield police on September 26, a day after her final dialog with Dennoriss. As beforehand reported by BOSSIP, he informed her he was planning to show himself in, however she insists he had no connection to the deserted property the place he was finally discovered. The household has since ordered a second post-mortem as they proceed their seek for solutions
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Painful Historical past of Racial Violence Casts Shadow Over Case
Richardson’s demise has sparked deep concern in Colbert County, the place the painful historical past of racial violence weighs closely on Black residents. In response to AP, Tori Bailey, president of the native NAACP chapter, shared that the neighborhood’s response displays the trauma tied to Alabama’s historical past with lynchings. Knowledge from the Equal Justice Initiative information 359 lynchings in Alabama between 1877 and 1943, with 11 occurring in Colbert County alone.
“There has lengthy been a type of disconnect between communities of coloration and legislation enforcement,” stated Bailey.
Clearly, many residents don’t really feel they’re served and guarded by native authorities.
Lawsuit Towards Sheffield Police Alleges Brutality and Intimidation
BOSSIP beforehand reported that Richardson had filed a lawsuit in opposition to the Sheffield Police Division earlier this yr, alleging a sample of brutality and intimidation. The lawsuit claimed that officers beat, tased, and maced him whereas he was restrained, taunting him by saying, “No one may help you.” As beforehand rerported by BOSSIP, Leigh Richardson alleged that officers even supplied to launch him if he dropped the lawsuit—a suggestion he refused. She additionally famous that on a number of police studies, Dennoriss was misclassified as “white,” which she interprets as additional disregard for Black residents.
Neighborhood Concern And Mistrust Of Legislation Enforcement Develop
Lawyer Roderick Van Daniel, who represents Richardson and several other different Colbert County residents with related allegations of police misconduct, informed AP that worry of police retaliation runs excessive.
AP additional reported that Marvin Lengthy, an in depth good friend of the Richardson household, shared that his worry of legislation enforcement has solely intensified since Richardson’s demise, echoing the neighborhood’s long-standing mistrust.
“We Deserve Solutions” — Household and Pals Demand Justice
At a current memorial service, Richardson’s household and associates gathered in his honor. AP studies legal professional Van Daniel spoke on behalf of the household’s pursuit of justice.
“His household and the Sheffield neighborhood deserve solutions. We deserve solutions,” stated Van Daniel.
With the FBI now concerned, the investigation into Dennoriss Richardson’s demise continues. A neighborhood now sits scarred by a historical past of racial injustice awaits the reality, hoping for accountability and transparency in a case that has already reopened outdated wounds.
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