Should've, Would've, Could've

From the looks of things, George Zimmerman may have some company in his new government home.  It will be interesting to see how many more Trayvon Martins there have been in these United States.  Unfortunately, there has been at least one in Palm Bay, Florida of Brevard County.  Take a look at my article, "Should've, Would've, Could've," published in this month's edition of Ebony News Today...


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Should’ve, Would’ve, Could’ve
Domanique Culpepper, MPA

Trayvon Martin is gone. There is nothing anyone can do or say to bring him back or relieve his family of their loss. Clearly, Trayvon Martin’s murderer should have been arrested and immediately imprisoned, according to the general consensus. Locally, officials and citizens have been discussing the manner in which Trayvon Martin’s murder is being handled.

On April 2, 2012, the first publicly organized roundtable discussion took place. The committee of attorneys and activists responsible for the discussion, which took place at Greater St. Paul Baptist Church in Cocoa, Florida, were led by Councilman Kendall Moore, Esq., as he facilitated the discussion. Attendees were asked to share their concerns in the form of a question, and local officials and candidates were prepared to answer. In a gist, questions were primarily asking what should’ve, would’ve, and could’ve been done differently in response to Trayvon Martin’s murder. All candidates, who were present, explained their hypothetical plans. However, the manner in which the Trayvon Martin case is handled will perpetuate Trayvon’s name and set a precedent for future homicide cases.

Surprisingly, the word on the street varies quite a bit, and race does not seem to be a common denominator. People are also saying that…

Jeanie Watson Coleman (White female): “I think Zimmerman is lying to stay out of jail and trouble but he didn't count on the public outlash. He thought that he could lie and that stupid Florida law would protect him and with Trayvon dead, who would say he did anything differently.

Ebony (Black female): “Basic police procedures were ignored in this case and at the crime scene. The shooter or murderer made this ‘racial’ from his 911 telephone call, when he said, ‘if it smells like a cover up, walks like a cover up, it is a cover up.’ Otherwise, why hide Trayvon’s body 3 days with his cell phone, while his father requested assistance from the police? Laws must apply to all people all the time! Trayvon Martin was a young 17 year-old boy, who was stalked and murdered, like an animal.”

Summer Varrichio (White female): “Zimmerman saw a young African American male wearing a hoodie, walking in his neighborhood and he immediately thought that Trayvon was ‘on drugs or something.’ Perhaps, he conjured up crime and criminals in the area when there really weren't. Zimmerman was looking for an adrenaline rush, and wanted to encounter something. He wanted to be a hero and save the community from criminals. I do think he was racist. He uses the ‘n-word’ like it's a casual, normal, everyday word for him. Zimmerman had not worked in law enforcement professionally, though he was preparing to do so. But, if Zimmerman were African American and following people with a firearm, he would’ve been pulled over and arrested immediately. I'm also upset about the lack of police investigation. The police DID NOT interview his girlfriend, who was on the phone with Trayvon when the murder took place. She still has yet to be interviewed.”

Lennox Francis (Black male): “Trayvon was stalked and pursued by Zimmerman. A confrontation transpired, causing Zimmerman to shoot and kill Trayvon, out of fear.”

Marshall Frank (White male): “Opinions are being manipulated by the media. Americans, along with the mainstream media, better start cooling their heels. The blame for all this hatred does not lie with George Zimmerman. But he probably did provoke and shoot Trayvon, instead of backing off.”

Mrs. Stanton (White female): “Zimmerman wasn’t supposed to have a gun, anyway. He was just a neighborhood watch guy. He definitely should have been arrested. I think they will eventually arrest him.”

So, yes, the general public is indeed responding to the senseless death of Trayvon Martin. Perhaps, the tragedy of such will help shed light on other injustices, such as that endured by a local teen, Darrick Washington, Jr. of Palm Bay High School. Though his case has been investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and allegations against Darrick Washington have been proven untrue, Brevard County Schools have not permitted his return to school, according to the teen’s mother, Andrea Johnson.

Though Ms. Johnson’s son, Darrick Washington, Jr., was shot in the chest by an Indian River Deputy, who first claimed that Washington shot at him, he survived after a 23-day hospital visit. Indian River County’s Deputy Kevin Keitz, who has a history of shooting suspects, shot Darrick Washington, Jr. in October of 2010, and has not been arrested. Meanwhile, a now 18 year-old Darrick Washington, Jr. is still awaiting justice, as he spends every day on house arrest. Each day that passes pushes Washington further away from his recent football and academic achievements and even further away from his dreams of attending college.

To date hospital bills are unpaid and Ms. Johnson is unsure of exactly what is being done to ensure that justice prevails, mainly because each of the three reports that she has in her possession disclose different findings and very little information is being shared with her. Ms. Johnson further explained that every time a court hearing is set, it is ultimately rescheduled, and nothing seems to get accomplished.

Since Ms. Johnson has been seeking legal counsel and support from local officials, civic organizations, and community leaders throughout Brevard County and beyond for more than a year now, it is no wonder that concern for her son seems to be growing exponentially. When asked about the status of the case, “The investigation is still ongoing. Internal Affairs is still investigating,” she said. “At this point, I just want justice. I’m mostly concerned about my son’s future. I’d like to see him become an active member of society.”
Ms. Johnson is desperately seeking support in pursuit of justice for her son, Darrick Washington, Jr.

Interested parties may contact Ms. Andrea Johnson at 321.557.8933 

or by email at 

johnsonandrea427@yahoo.com