se
se rican-Amer o t in han Cooper. ican deathld quadruple The allegeddcuffs and ha New row inmate in ci Cooper’s 1som’s decision could d en Flori t wa making ouda Today reports t Hills famil 985 conviction in lead to the overtu t. y th rn A an e u in th k d g il o ling of a ru their 11-y ri Enough Of of has the Your Lovtie”es say t Californiapnotential, some polieatir-old house guest. ral Chino and a s. The case cal watcher s say, to d Both the C ivide aliforn and more an a dozenia and United States past appeath lo su w p er courts hav re ls. e rejectedmCe courts “I take no p ooper’s osition regar nocence at about the h this time,” Newsodming Mr. Cooper’s g uilt or inigh-profile said in his terest. N ca ex se free 2. When you see a photo or ad with the Observer 1. Get for that hby Yothe as downloading rk Tapp drawn inteecutive order Sen. Kamew im es ’ co rn lu al at m Interactive logo scan over the whole photo with your it from Google Play or The Apple App a io n is H n al in t Nic arri have all ca lled for res -tand reality TV starholas Kristof, U.S.tablet or smartphone. forensic Store technology. esting using curr Kim Kardashian SUL ent, more The ACLU gorilla suitPHUR, La. (AP) – P se n si an ti ve groups hav d other hu mattress befbroke into a Louisiaol man rights e also urged o n a deeper in an Serving Kern County News ouretl officers arrested h ves gation California state o d social justice et into Cooper fficials to la s Gov. Newtiso sp q u o k o for Over 40 Years es te m Mel E unch ’s con m’s tion issu st in ThSuulphu officers saan by formerorder Friday expandviction. w Jeremie es rsday test four ed s G p co o Moran wal re v. stume. They vious direc rry Brown lowed analpyieces of crime scenJe h ad in son looking received ca kin D ember lls a into homes to an orange sts to perform DNe evidence. Brownec ’s . E to A o st es says Mo prosecutors wel; and the han re-testing on a tan rder al- bo p ra ro n ac ran into a hed but w dle and sh dies in the say Cooper T-shirt; as discover eath Ry In th new u charges incl ed investigatseiod in the murders. of a hatchet Joshua Ryen, theen’s home with a total u d of hair frois in g re tr sisting an hoidin y, meth poss victims’ 8-y wound on of 143 stab button Com the victims’ hannd, analysts will look es ea h w si is in ro o g in the San u o son, su throat. He In Louisian n and wearingffia c ffered a slnasds. the al was the old Bernardino tigators plaoper’s attorney No s, blood samples anat strands tack. a, a person in n p ly le h u g County are blic survivor of ations Coo nvicte Angeles Co nted at the scene rman Hile mainta d a green le After Coopers’s per’s attorn not surprise the at- D.A.’s office most. Excecan be sentencedco in g o ja u al f s n il ly ty th in ey b to d . p e v re st S s M ab esti uperior Co ay crime. A re ak thre ar vestigation o an o n ed , e u s ra y in t m ar in ci v o h ak e es al biases an f em freq olidays like al a ho in tigat also urt judge w . ti d discrimth Halloweenlowed for relig uently comg about their ill oversee rethd Los familsay they found eviduse next door to thors found, he il- complaints Cooper, 61 in It at an p ’s la io dM unclear if M e victims. ence in th y’s statio in abou are hand n in the e in, has main years. His g ment. oran has a ardi G tained his For some,nGwagon that tied Coe Ryen’s home and inThey unang prosecutor Miclehd. Just last month,way their cases ort lawy by Gov. Nlawyers hope the re in n o ce d a o ae er o n p th S v. l er ce an ing inGroup sults Newsom’sofo Southern ewso to thCalifornia Volume 46 Number September 18, 2019 over Observer e murders. e on so pressure for makin Selyem, who is W BernarWednesday, e caseNewspapers d hel2 in p p o rder to broad is being met rove theirm, which could taokfe the re-testing orderthe of the th cial media. en mu ers Jo client’s inn ed him. His insultgscrude and racist anhdite, resigned shua Ryenwith dismay. The lonDNA test- chelle Obama, U ocence ansedveral months, will porters of rd an e ,S. Rep. M targeted former Firstcomments th su B d e finally exo lack shooti In 1 axine Water nerate they are disappoRyens and Hughesfamily, friends andrvivor n g v on four co9u85, a San Diego Co ic ti s and an uLnady Mi“Unfortunatinted with the gov all across the statesup- Lo Thomas R. Parkmer. named 26 and an nts of murder. At unty jury convicte s er , A el sa n a former d ngeles office y ep cord - incluescaped prison inmthe time of his arre d Cooper nfor justice in this cay,seover time it seemosr’s decision. , u b ty el head of the ieves This guy is o District st, he was e victims’ d FBI’s in Pennsylv ding several burglaate. His lengthy crim innocent,” Cooper. Attorney Jamatters less and leth esire “The evidence “Prior DN ries and the ania – did ss h in e ,” so al to S n an ld re A w n as A B th d er o n te er e p n o n C ra st la so N t ar th o in p n h ew n o d e te e el g p icl o sa d st p th f a minor aimed ou Y , he was fr and.” By Tanu Henry in 1958 er, formerly named his case. ld exoneratat Mr. Cooper sougidh in a statement. amed, theork Times. What has k per’s guilw California Black Media e him have t, agreed to cops lied t.” months onldear Pittsburgh, PenRichard Goodman, ep t a th fe all confirm e case goin deral appel and nelected was born , he was Assembly On January 6, 1992, California sylvania. W Y et ed g la p Durinthe te er M ad an su ec co r. o dC ution and re h he was pted and re urt Coog his monies and asive arguments childand E. Dotson Wilson asan itsdChief Clerk LAKE FOR named Ken hooParliamentarian. six re iew the ca’ssedecision in 2004 toooper alive - is d, day, allegations based on co he spen his pbecoming evin Coop er Gov. Newvso EST, Calregulators ar as en is w stay his exThe Berkeley native history t a goothat o o it recov(AP) ts n f h n ab ev BAKERSFIELD, Calif. fl p m ic le h id if P) – O juvenmade o ering–afCalifornia y ti . d q en m re si n u p D ca ’s g ce es sc ar N ll il d te ti ie t ta y e ec A o n st o te m n ab d ti is if g te r s et p fi io at ad u ab ffic being stru. (A st er c en y se n o the first African American to be voted into that all o in o ev in o rs d ti n le u to g g id o u t sc h ro have ordered Chevron to provide more information about , n se co th en im k al ence living ad centers. In a mental h d ee e lo m ce to m p ck in w es . C ra et n al S an by a polic ea ai is h o if ods and sto ing uthaerfacility rly in the other ornia Gover in several attack, and in l Cooper. Thre 19in important, non-partisan ateaany body the n Califoinrn lth legislative 8 ro 2 u , L eight recent or ongoing oil leaks near Kern fa n C ag ri ci te d Califorole o n es li u rm o o o ty n e h p in r f a ia av er w whose supp of the prog in Pennsylv vesti. rnia. eapo e high expec escaped fro ch Polithe three attack sworn testimon the Californian United States. Orange CBoeareports ce ODivision orters onCounty. Theress Bakersfield ania before m co ive so ers who wer fficer Thom y, JoshuanRs were used in the Durinre-elected thOil, “DNA test tations. unsaid e poGas m ty g u o Since then, he ghas been to that office every ld h R v li y e m in is ti en eg W h ca eo g m av of and Geothermal Resources this week that is h sa l to n te u in e it L e’ id ued that Co rder trial, p r he itiall as e. He later bee Hispan eft g ould im s he saw solve the R wdate henisthunsatisfactory. y th testified that othe two years by all 80Rmembers for 26tors ro eb. 19.overpet Further con per state ic. mediately material Chevron hasFturned yen case sh secu e cat dartein to killedAssembly yen, theirof C h h su an m ia ta th u d in front cc p d finally en sband and ng said du ke The ey licating the essfully ar- an named D placeagency 10-year-old back-to-back terms.neigh M is demanding records, maps, diagrams to w ri cG su if n p re e g ro ia re u th D ir n th d se at borworking e says when a Roper cam justice is se aughter Jesssaid o cutions’ clai e ca paign DNA evid Christofor the anhas “It has been an honor all plans to w stop pherthe Assembly,” ica and anug and Peggy belonging to her fo rvthe he goreleases imal . “Not oand ed,”company ce can helm t out to chec ughes. Pto as buncontrolled nlyCymric rmer boyefrforward with bloodmys, a wom- but testing in then p is er th la Dotson, who is retiring this month. “I amH humbled it olihave w p A en ce found th11-year-old inal. She turned th an a howhere at Oil Field. The seep out ofiggthe ground ro n is fo im v ie en rc ca cl n al em d o se th C use t. w w en o in E h o n o d t g e e u v tr estroyed it. solve crinjects was a violen ld come at en though evidence ov bloodied o to l had a front row seat as policy is being made in the world’s o an ffi ce Chevron steam to extract oil has been happening an im rs rushed ca imal hospit es, tr no cost to th Newsom’s t crim- is bold, he is er to the p al e ble au fifth largest economy. California has always been at the African Am , d o w ec e m li trea herChevron is ce, but they issue th on and offstat for a. state has issued e it was dath e.”months. The ericans, His eC at Californding carefully on aiopn in th iagnose o forefront of policy change in the United States.” o p D er notice of violation ordering it to stop steam injections panics and r. ca K ia se w ri o voters across tentially po atching. H sti Krause, other mino she the When the state Assembly held a special tribute on a v erinaria e is keepin expec la riziarea the seep was e politicaaround ng where rities liv- C ts th e 1occurring. g his focuth n, tells th l 1-pound et sp b ec ac ontinued the chamber floor August 29, to thank him for 27 years of tr k u in s m The company said by email Wednesday that goal (5 to o ar n -kilits th e fa o e ogra ir n w n p il es m) cat to d age A2 s af an te service as Chief Clerk, Wilson had gained another historyd r M it ju is to prevent It says cG reclosely sticthe uire it’s e releases. ns stwith visitworking rength. that if he se ed the bogai making notch on his belt. The 64-year-old, who now lives regulators. b es ca t n Friday it again, he’ in the Sacramento area, is currently the longest-serving . ll issue a tiock et for j Chief Clerk in the history of the state of California. “He has given us the gift of his wisdom, expertise, acumen, temperament and deep commitment to fairness over the decades,” said Assembly Speaker Pro-Tem Kevin Mullin (D-San Mateo). “Institution above party. Service above self. Later that evening, the California Legislative Black Caucus hosted a reception at the Grand Sheraton in Sacramento to recognize Wilson’s service to the Assembly BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) – A California police and the inspiration he has provided to countless Africandepartment has requested a domestic abuse charge be filed American elected officials and staff members. against one of its assistant chiefs. Almost everyone CBM interviewed for this article The Bakersfield Police Department says the case mentioned the example of professionalism Wilson set for against Assistant Chief Evan Demestihas has been colleagues at the Capitol. submitted to the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. “Your name will take you places, because of your Demestihas was arrested Sept. 4 after police were integrity,” said Assembly Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), called to a lounge to check on a woman. Investigators chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. “You can’t buy it, determined the woman was the victim of a domestic you can’t market it, its who you are. And your name speaks violence incident and identified Demestihas as a suspect. volumes in this house and across the nation.” He could not be reached for comment. Wilson first joined the California Assembly as a fellow KBAK-TV reported Friday that the police department “He was one of the greatest politicians in the history showed extraordinary leadership.” in 1979. He worked his way up to deputy chief of staff for is recommending one count of domestic abuse. Police say former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Jr., who served in of the state, said Wilson, talking about his experience Wilson says Brown is one of those Californians the assistant chief will be placed on administrative leave the lower house’s top leadership role for 15 years and later working for Brown. “You’re only as strong as the people’s who does not get enough credit – “ not only for his pending the outcome of the criminal and administrative became the first African-American mayor of San Francisco whose shoulders you stand on and Willie Brown is one broad knowledge of the, law but also his razor-sharp investigations. of those people for me. At the time California was going in 1996. through a lot of social and political changes and Brown Continued on page A2 Brown nominated Wilson for Chief Clerk.
Welcome to Observer Interactive
Deeper Content. Pictures Move. Ads Talk. Live Shopping.
Man in Go Breaks in r Hides UndH e
News Observer FREEEE!!
Bakersfield
1st Black Legislative Clerk Honored
obcat Rec CaliforniaBPressures ove A f terKern Being Hi Chevron over PolLeaks ice Car County Oil
Abuse Charge Against Assistant Police Chief
How You Can Help Prevent Neighborhood Gun Violence
Russell Simmons (Courtesy Photo)
By Russell Simmons Exclusive to NNPA Newswire At the beginning of this summer, I wrote an Op-Ed for the National Newspaper Publishers Association. I asked for support for the anti-violence programs around the country and many of you responded. For that, I am grateful. One of the things that I have done over the last 10 years – with the exception of 2018 – is host a dinner for the mothers of deceased children in my old hood in Queens, New York. The deceased children all died because of senseless gun violence. The recent dinners have had mostly the same mothers because Life Camp, the program that I support, and the residents have held the violence to a minimum. This year was very, very different. Instead of going directly to the dinner, I was asked to stop at a church for a wake. My brother who I grew up with, Marcellus, lost his son, Marcellus, Jr., who was on his way to college in just two days. Marcellus Jr. was one of the 13 that were shot, and of the nine who were murdered, in last 10 days. I went to the church and saw Marcellus Sr. and I thought of images of
him in our childhood. We hugged the same way I hugged the brothers, the sisters, and the mother of his son. Only with him, I started to cry. I was home. It was my Hollis family and we were hurting. They, especially the father and the uncle, helped the whole thing to hit home harder. The way it should. It reminded me that this wake was not business as usual, but instead it was critical for my own spiritual survival and growth. We had planned the dinner over a month ago, but the murders and the funerals we couldn’t have predicted. At the dinner, we recommitted to work on lifting our community. We reaffirmed our love for each other and our work. Today, I am asking for all my Queens Congress members, City Council members, rappers, and hip-hop success stories to join me in helping Life Camp expand their good work. I promise to donate more and support more than I have in the past. The time is now what will you do? With great love, all things are possible.
Norwood Family Mourns the Loss of Samuel Norwood Jr. Samuel Norwood Jr. ( aka S.J., Sam ) was born January 24,1945 to Samuel Norwood and Daisy Lee McCutcheon; in Charleston, South Carolina. About two years later he was joined by a sister,Vernia Lee. The Norwood Family eventually made their way to California where they lived, for a while, at Minter Field Army Airfield Base. While in Shafter, SJ attended Lerdo Elementary School and was a joy to his parents. As the Norwood clan began to grow and grow…and grow, they relocated to Bakersfield. And for a short while, SJ worked alongside his dad in the potato and cotton fields. He attended the local schools. SJ attended Emmanuel Temple Apostolic Church where he was baptized at an early age under the leadership of Pastor Charlotte V. Davis. (As an adult, he rarely returned back to New York without first visiting the saints and members at the church). Around the age of seventeen (17), SJ was hired at Buckley’s Feed Bin working with horses. And when the company relocated to Los Angeles, he relocated as well. Sometime later, Buckley’s would relocate again, this time to New York. It was during this transition that SJ’s love for horses would afford him opportunities that many can only dream of. But, it was truly a magnetic attraction to New York that would intrigue and captivate him for 54 years. Sam began training thoroughbreds at Yonkers Raceway, in Yonkers, NY, Flushing Meadows Racetrack in Queens, NY and Roosevelt Raceway, in Westbury Long
Island, NY. He trained countless horses; ridden by jockey’s, competing for trophies and cash prizes. Although the tracks closed in the 80s, SJ never lost his love for horses, the game, the racetracks or the New York City life. After leaving the racetracks, SJ began working for MOD-A-CAN (Precision Aerospace Structural Assemblies), a supplier of domestic and international commercial and military aerospace markets, where he worked as a machinist. After 35 years of service, Sam retired and decided to join the rest of his family in Bakersfield. However, after only ten-too short weeks he passed away in the presence of his family. He loved his family and his family loved him back.SJ had many hobbies; including spending time at the racetracks with his friends and brotherin-law, James. He loved to fish and thoroughly enjoyed spending hours on the lake with his father and brothers Franklin and Douglas and brother-in-law; William, and his one sister who could hang tough with them, Darlene. He also enjoyed collecting coins and watches. He loved sports; especially watching tennis tournaments with Serena and Co-Co. Sam spent almost his entire life in New York and his sudden passing has left a painful empty space in the lives of his extended family, friends, and co-workers who still reside there. (Thank you all for loving our brother. He spoke of you often). Continued on page A7
Samuel Norwood Jr
Store Bans Stinky Shoppers
GREENWOOD, Miss. (AP) – You stink, stay out! That’s the message from one Mississippi Delta convenience store to workers at a neighboring soybean oil mill. The Greenwood Commonwealth reports the convenience store has a sign on its door stating “Notice: Bad Smelling Oil Mill People Please Do Not Enter.” Anurag Randive, who manages the Greenwood store, says the sign was posted about three months ago after customers complained about the odor of employees from the Express Grain oil mill across the street. He says he’s prevented some odorous workers from entering. Randive says he hasn’t received any complaints. Express Grain workers continue shopping at the store. Employee Michael Blount says workers who labor in the pits filled with stinking rotten soybeans send less-smelly coworkers inside to buy snacks. Blount says, “We know we stink.”
Students Apologize for Blackface Post
SHELTON, Conn. (AP) – A Connecticut school superintendent says students responsible for a social media post of a person in blackface have been identified and apologized during a school assembly. Shelton Superintendent Chris Clouet tells Hearst Media Connecticut the girls responsible apologized Friday at Shelton Intermediate School, the town’s middle school. He says the apology featured a PowerPoint presentation, during which a detailed history and meaning of blackface in the African American community was shown. No names were disclosed. The photo that appeared on Snapchat last week showed what appeared to be a girl with a black substance on her face. The photo is captioned with a racial slur and the person is making obscene gestures. Principal Dina Marks said the “unfortunate incident does not reflect our school values.’’
Fired Because They are White?
MCCOMB, Miss. (AP) – Two former employees of a southwest Mississippi city are pursuing legal action, claiming black officials fired them because they were white. Former McComb city prosecutor David Brewer sued the city Aug. 22 in federal court, The Enterprise-Journal reported. Former public works director Chuck Lambert is pursuing a racial discrimination complaint he filed earlier this year with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. That complaint could be followed by a lawsuit. Brewer claimed in the lawsuit that a vote to replace him with Dawn Stough, a black woman, had no other motivation besides racial animus. Stough has since resigned. The lawsuit says the white city attorney, police chief and deputy city clerk were also replaced at the same meeting. The changes came after an African American majority was elected to the city board and Mayor Quordiniah Lockley, also black, succeeded a white man. Lambert was replaced by a black woman who had been public works director in the nearby town of Magnolia. However, the new majority did retain some white department heads, including the fire chief and the recreation director. A black woman was demoted when her title as finance director was eliminated. Brewer declined comment, while Lambert said he’s waiting on the conclusion of the EEOC inquiry.