Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 October 2004 — Page 2

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2004

2nd defendant sentenced in desecration of grave

JASPER, Texas (AP)—The second defendant charged with desecrating the grave of a Black man who was dragged to death behind a pickup truck in east Texas has pleaded guihy to criminal misdiief. John Matthew Fowler, 20, was sentenced last week to lOyears probation, fined $1,000and ordered to pay nearly $28,000 in restitution. He apologized lor damaging the gravesite. The dragging death, perpetrated by three white men,

occurred in 1998. In May, racial slurs and profanities were found etched into a steel plate covering part of the vault ofJames Byrd Jr.’s grave. His headstone also had been toppled. Joshua Lee Talley, 19, was sentenced in September to five months in jail and 10 years probation after pleading guilty in the case. He was also fined and ordered to pay restitution. Both Fowler and Talley are white.

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KERNAN ► Continued from Page 1 He told them that his goal if elected is “for everybody to have a good job, to be able to support their families, buy a house, fight for affordable prescription drugs.” Indiana “must invest in education,” including full day kindergarten which Kernan calls “the most effective way to eliminate the achievement gap among minority youth in Indiana.” Kernan framed the importance of this election for the African-American community. “It is important to send the members of the Black Caucus back to the General Assembly,” said Kernan firmly. “If we lose the House or it goes 50-50, then diversity will be stifled,” Kernan avowed. “If that happens then Bill Crawford won’t be the head of Ways and Means, Greg Porter won’t be head of Education,. Charlie Brown won’t head Health, Vanessa Summers won’t head Human Services, Earl Harris won’t be part of the leadership.” If Republicans take control of the Legislature, said Kernan, “It will be harder for Blacks to have their voices heard.” Among the officials in attendance declaring their strong support for Kernan and Davis were: state Sens. Billie Breaux, Glenn Howard and Earline Rogers; state Reps. Bill Crawford, Greg Porter, Vanessa Summers, Mae Dickenson, Carolene Mays. Also there in support was Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson and Pike Township Trustee Lula Patton. In fact Anderson said it best, “It’s time for no more I’m a gonna. Let’s get out there and get busy and elect Joe Kernan and Kathy Davis.”

HAUGHVILLE ► Continued from Page 1 “I call them my angels,” Crockett said. “I called out the name of Jesus and he sent me those two boys, Travis and Bobby and I am very grateful to them.” said Crockett, the victim. “We felt that we had two Haughville heroes here. They went to save a woman who was being attacked,” said Olgen Williams executive director of the Christamore House. “They deserve to be honored and awarded because of their heroic actions.” Recognition of their brave act has come on both a local and national level. On last Thursday, the two teens and their families traveled to Washington D.C. to be honored by the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise in the way of an award luncheon and a tour of the nation’s capital. The two were honored with a $5,000 scholarship, which, upon graduation from high school will go towards their secondary education “I want to do some work in construction since I am currently involved in it with my school,” said Green a junior at Ben Davis High School. Curd says that he plans to utilize his scholarship to enroll into college and major in business. “I want to own my own business,” said Curd a sophomore at Indianapolis Met charter school. During their stay in D.C. the two were able to meet with Indiana U.S.

Sen. Richard Lugar, who shared his remarks about the brave teens. “Travis and Bobby came to the aid of a law enforcement officer who was in distress,” said Lugar. “These two impressive young men realize their part in making Indianapolis a safe community, furthermore, the Christamore House has provided an important opportunity for them to demonstrate their leadership.” Along with other recognition, the two have obtained free computers from a local business, Red Cross is asking for the two teens to complete an application to be considered for induction into their Hall of Fame of Heroes, LoBill’s supplied 3 both boys with a gift certificate and popular daytime talk show host Montell Williams is looking into 1 having the boys tell their story on his hour-long talk show. Both teens finished violence prevention classes one week prior to the attack. Green was enrolled in a summer program at Department of Justice’s Weed and Seed program. “This is not what I expected,” Curd modestly said of the duos recent recognition and awards. “We approached the man because it was the right thing to do.” Jones, the victim’s husband was charged with aggravated battery, domestic battery and aggravated assault. According to a recent police report, he is undergoing psychiatric treatment at Wishard Hospital. ,

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