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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY EDITION

Volume 121 No. 51

JULY 27, 2013 - AUGUST 2, 2013

Black Clergy Stand Their Ground Against Verdict By Freddie Allen NNPA Washington Correspondent Just as they did during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, the July 20 demonstrations in more than 100 cities around the nation to protest the not guilty verdict for George Zimmerman on charges that he murdered 17-year-old Trayvon Martin,

Woman, 18, Raped in Howard Univ. Classroom By AFRO Staff

raped her. Ironically, it was a Caucasian girl. He had a knife.” She said after the incident, the dorm limited visitors. Tisdale said she feels that Howard, like any other urban campus, cannot prevent violence. She said she and her friends take precautions, such as walking in groups on campus whenever possible, and watching to make sure they are not being followed. She is also planning to buy a taser shaped like a lipstick.

An 18-year-old woman was raped at Howard University after her assailant snatched her from the street and dragged her into a building and then into a classroom, authorities said. The Rev. Michael Walrond, The attack occurred about 8 a.m. on July 22. The name of senior pastor at First the victim was not released. Authorities said the woman was Corinthian Baptist Church at Howard participating in a in Harlem, at a press non-campus program. Police conference in front of have stepped up patrols on and Justice Department. around campus. Students have been many ministers were in devastated by the turn of the forefront of protests at events. They took to social federal buildings in their media to express their concern communities. and outrage. They started off by “this is sick,” said capris0n standing with the Rev. Al on Instagram. Sharpton who announced “Guess I’ll be needing a plans to contest “Stand Your tazer,” said lucidjadeing. Ground” laws in Florida and “I really feel some kind 28 other states. More than 20 of way talking about this,” Black clergy leaders joined Howard graduate Cresent Sharpton last week in front of Haynes told Fox 5 News. “I’m Continued on A5 glad I have my glasses on because I could actually start crying. This is too much. It’s just too, too much.” The sexual assault was the second violent episode on or near the campus in recent Joseph Taylor, died after weeks. On July 4, Howard bullets intended for someone student Omar Sykes was else pierced his shoulder fatally shot in a robbery just off and struck behind his ear at campus. Five hundred people a Baltimore intersection in attended a memorial service November 2009. for the senior. People still pack annual Authorities said they memorials held on the notified students via a campus anniversaries of Taylor’s birth e-mail alert system. But Kelsey and death, just as they filled Tisdale, 20, a junior, said she the church for his home-going Courtesy photo has not set up the program to service. Because her son was Although junior Kelsey Tisdale is not a crime victim, she said Howard, like any other receive the alerts. such a giving person, Green urban college, cannot prevent violence. “I saw it on Instagram,” said, she donated his organs, said Tisdale, who is attending which have benefited a baby classes on campus this and six adults. summer. “I’m not scared, but the story made me want to get on it,” “He was a good son. He Tisdale said the incident “shocked” her, but it has not made she said. “If I have my portable taser, I would definitely feel a was a good brother. He was her afraid to be on campus. She said a girl was raped last year lot more safe.” a good father. He was a good in an all-girls dorm for underclassmen on the corner of 4th and “I feel as though as long as you take personal precautions to friend,” said Green, who has Bryant streets, NW. make sure things don’t happen to you, like being with friends, two surviving children and “A D.C. local made his way into the dorm, which is called you should be okay. I feel like you can’t stop stuff like this six grandchildren, including the Annex, and into one of the girl’s rooms,” she said. “He Continued on A3 Joseph’s daughter. “If he had been sick, I’d still be upset, but it’s not the same feeling when someone just comes up and takes your child’s life.” Photo by Freddie Allen/ NNPA News Service

Trayvon Martin Case Fuels Anxiety for Black Moms By Yanick Rice Lamb Special to the AFRO Denise Green has been celebrating her son’s birthday on July 26 without him for the last four years. Her son,

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Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, attends a ”Justice for Trayvon” rally in New York, July 20. Like other mothers who have lost a child to violence, Green said she identifies with Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin. In televised interviews after her son’s killer, George Zimmerman, was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter on July 13, Fulton expressed concern for other Black youths. “It’s not just about the Trayvon Martin case,” Fulton told “Good Morning, America” during an interview. “Now, it’s about your kids. It’s about other kids. What do we tell our sons?” Green said the case brought back the pain she felt when Joseph died. “I have a lot of empathy for her and his dad,” Green said. “That kind of death Continued on A5

Man Sentenced to 85 Years in Prison for Threatening, Stalking Ex-Wife By Courtney Jacobs AFRO Staff Writer

A Prince George’s County Circuit Court judge sentenced Michael A. Johnson, 33, of Hyattsville, Md. to 115 years in prison on July 18 for death threats and more than 70 counts of domestic abuse, including stalking, reckless endangerment and multiple violations of a protective order, all aimed at Angel Williams, his ex-wife. Under the sentence, he is to be incarcerated for 85 years, with 30 years of the sentence to be served concurrently. He had been previously convicted for assaulting Williams in 2011. Authorities said he grabbed her by the neck. The couple divorced later that year. Johnson was incarcerated for eight months in 2011 on the assault charge and was released in January 2012. In May 2012, Williams started receiving calls from restricted numbers, in which the caller would hang up immediately. She also received notification that someone was trying to change the passwords to her email accounts. According to court documents, Johnson, posing as his wife, created fake online profiles inviting men to come to her house for sex. The posting appeared on Facebook and on at least one pornographic website and included her name, address, birthdate and photos of her and three of her four children. As a result of the postings, officials said, 50 men showed up at Williams’ house looking for sex. Some even tried to break in to get to Williams, prosecutors said in court. One respondent to an ad attempted to sexually assault

of Williams’ daughters, according to local law enforcement officials. Prosecutors said Johnson also sent offensive and threatening emails to Williams. According to WJLA, one email sent to Williams from Johnson said, “I know PG police are going to kill me after I kill you, but I’m ready for death -- are you?” Although Johnson admitted to authorities that he controlled the email accounts from which the messages came, he denied transmitting the offensive emails. Prosecutors said the messages stopped after his arrest. Williams became so afraid at one point that she bought a shotgun for protection, once standing at the door all night in anticipation of home invasion, prosecutors said. Assistant State’s Attorney Christina T. Ropella stated in court that the woman and her children will never feel safe unless Johnson is in prison. “He’s a dangerous man,” Ropella said. “The best way to protect them is for him to be incarcerated for as long as possible.” Johnson had been charged with violating protective orders three times. The latest court action resulted in Johnson’s conviction of more than 70 criminal counts including stalking, reckless endangerment and violations of a protective order. Prince George’s County Circuit Judge Maureen M. Lamasney, during the sentencing hearing, said, “I would have to be a total idiot to think you would follow my orders when you ignored three judges before me,” Lamasney said. Williams told WJLA, “Today represents sort of a new freedom for my family and I.”