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FBI investigating possibility of civil rights violations in Taliaferro case Published: April 14, 2009  RG Fleming speaks to members of the Taliaferro and Jones families following a protest this morning outside the Powhatan County courthouse. By Michael Copley Updated at 4:13 on 4/14/09 A 10-month FBI investigation continues this week, examining potential civil rights violations committed during the shooting death of eighteen-year-old Tahliek Taliaferro last summer. “The FBI has been working on this case since July [2008], I know it’s getting blown up in the media now, but this is not new to us,” said FBI spokesman Lawrence Barry. “The investigation hinges on whether or not the shooting was in violation of a civil rights statute.” There was, according to court testimony, an ongoing feud between Joey Parrish and Taliaferro in the time leading up to the shooting and both, according to accounts, attempted to engage the other in fist fights; many in the community did not believe race to be a causal element in the incident. But there are elements of the civil rights statutes that investigators may deem applicable. According to U.S. Code title 18, section 241, it is unlawful “for two or more persons to conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person…It further makes it unlawful for two or more persons to go in disguise on the highway…with the intent to prevent or hinder [someone’s] free exercise or enjoyment of any rights so secured,” this according to the FBI’s Web site. “Punishment varies from a fine or imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both; and if death results…or an attempt to kill, [offenders shall] be fined under this title or imprisoned for any term of years, or for life, or may be sentenced to death.” “[The FBI] is looking into the totality of the situation,” said Powhatan Chief Deputy D.K. Giardini. “They’re not looking at the criminal charges, the verdict can’t be changed.” A jury convicted cousins Joey and Ethan Parrish last month of involuntary manslaughter and recommended the maximum sentence, 10 years, on the manslaughter conviction, and one year on assault and battery for shooting then 16-year-old Courtney Jones. Joey Parrish will be sentenced by a judge at a later date because he was a minor at the time of offense. Family and friends of Tahliek Taliaferro, along with the NAACP, held marches protesting the jury’s verdict and, moments after the verdict was read, allegations of racism took center stage. Shortly there after, KKK pamphlets were scattered in county driveways. According to Barry, the FBI began the investigation last summer after becoming aware of the case through media coverage and after his office was contacted by the Sheriff’s Office. Editor’s note: This article originally incorrectly referenced Title 18, section 241 as part of the U.S. the Constitution. The error has been corrected above. |
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Brent
Apr. 16, 2009, 03:40 PM
Whodatis, The 2nd car probably left the scene because they just saw their friends’ car getting shot up. Would you have stuck around? If they had stayed there, who knows how many other people would’ve gotten shot! After the police arrived, it was safe enough to go back. Nothing necessarily more sinister than common sense… Leek 1st cuzzo of Fake POWHATAN
Apr. 16, 2009, 03:10 PM
Listen I’m sick of all the people that have something bad 2 say about my cuzzo. Its childish how everyone that has something bad 2 say about him says it over the computer. I mean almost all his family lives in POWHATAN. Please come talk 2 use.
whodatis of p town
Apr. 16, 2009, 02:15 PM
yea, some of the people from the other side do need some charges…...for example….whatever happend to perjury???!!! And why did the second vehicle leave the crime scene, and then come back after the police arrived?? chesterfieldst of chesterfield
Apr. 16, 2009, 02:03 PM
http://www.expertlaw.com/library/personal_injury/assault_battery.html
Friend of Richmond
Apr. 16, 2009, 01:30 PM
chesterfieldst, Do you agree on the assault and battery charge? How many levels of assault battery charges are there on the books. chesterfieldst of chesterfield
Apr. 16, 2009, 01:18 PM
Friend.. We have to remember how fast bullets travel… May not have had time to duck. I wanted to be in court but work would not allow it. I like high profile cases. Don’t get me wrong.. I don’t like death.. I am really into forensics. anonymous of richmond va
Apr. 16, 2009, 12:43 PM
the only way you are going to get a camera in a police car is go to sheetz instead of dialing 911 dial sheetz Friend of Richmond
Apr. 16, 2009, 12:26 PM
If he fired before he saw the bb gun. i don’t think Tahliek would have been setting up right in the seat looking at Stephanie when the car pass by the SUV. I think he would’ve be ducking for cover. What do you think? chesterfieldst of chesterfield
Apr. 16, 2009, 11:49 AM
I would say if he fired BEFORE the BB gun, the shots would have been in front of the car. Just my opinion…. Now how long did it take for a 2nd officer to get on scene? The first officer moved the BB gun and then went back to the Saturn. The only way he could have secured it would to have put the gun in his car and lock it up… I am sure he was thinking to save a life… not put up crime tape with two kids shot. This is just one reason why I would not live in a rural area. When I need help… I want them there FAST! Do all the police cars in Powhatan have cameras? Friend of Richmond
Apr. 16, 2009, 10:54 AM
chesterfieldst, It’s a lot of stuff in my opinion that wasn’t explain. I want to know were the shots fired before Ethan saw the BB gun or after. I also want to know why didn’t the police officer secure the scene. People are talking about the bb gun was moved. Where was the Police when all of this was going on? I know the police are equip with cameras. Did anybody think about pulling the police tapes from the officers car? Submit Your Comments Below |
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