26 June 2005
The Downtown Columbus paper has just deleted all older posts. Some links to the paper will not work and the information is lost as a public record. That's one way to bury a story

16 May 2005
'Go on.' We will not let this die."

21 April 2005

Update update
Black leaders back down on boycott and pickets.
They have canceled the "days of abstinance" and the pickets at Riverfest.
Most whites on local talk radio said it was doomed to be a failure anyway and were encouraging people to buy and give away tickets.
Black leaders say they will instead appeal the decision to the Georgia Surpreme Court.
More details tomorrow
More on the Judge's decision to not order a new Grand Jury for Deputy Glisson

20 April 2005
The Kenneth Walker shooting case will not get another round before a grand jury. A judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the former Columbus NAACP president.

20 April 2005
A lawsuit by former local NAACP President Edward DuBose to force another grand jury because of Deputy Sheriff Glissons unsworn testimony before the previous GJ that refused to indict him is to be heard today.

Depending on the direction that Muscogee Superior Court Judge Frank Jordan rules after the 2pm hearing will probably effect the "days of abstinance" boycott and the Picketting that is scheduled for the Columbus, Georgia Riverfest.

13 April 2005
The Columbus City Council says it has done all it can do on the Kenneth Walker shooting answering Georgia NAACP vice president Edward DuBose who appeared before it. Columbus is facing a general boycott and a specific boycott and pickets for the "Riverfest" The question is will either one be sucessful. Local talk is that both will fail.

8 April 2005
After a week of sometimes hot talk on Robbie Watson's Talkline, a daily talkfest on WRCG radio, the mayor of Columbus has weighed in on the issue of pickets at the RiverFest and the general boycott of the city of Columbus.

Mayor Bob Poydasheff of Columbus Georgia criticized the planned boycott saying that all Columbus benefitted from the the festival and the city would be hurt from a economic boycott or "days of abstinance" as some call it.

"Along with the NAACP, DuBose said, leaders of other local civil rights groups are asking people not to spend money anywhere in the city during the Riverfest weekend: the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance; the National Action Network; and Nation of Islam and Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. They originally called for the economic boycott April 28 through May 1, but they got the wrong dates for Riverfest, he said."

Since I'm a Phenix Citizen, I try to make it a practice of not spending money in Columbus. Besides, I've already made my opinion pretty much known and seem to be in conflict with most of the white callers to Talkline who are saying they will make it a point to attend
30 March 2005

Let me see

Another delay and calls for pickets at Riverfest and a boycott of Columbus. Ya'll come on over to Phenix City and spend your money, We'll appreciate it
I'll bet the money men win out. And I don't mean the boycott. You just keep delaying till the white heat has faded and all will be forgotten if not forgiven.

The "newest" delay involves a lawsuit filed by former president Columbus NAACP Edward DuBose concerning David Glissons unsworn testimony to a grad jury that refused to indict him.

The basis of Mr. DuBose's lawsuit is this Georgia law concerning a peace officer's statements to a grand jury "shall have the right to appear before the grand jury to make such sworn statement as he shall desire at the conclusion of the presentation of the state's evidence."

If some of you are still wondering why a websie called "redneckin" is still keeping up with this case, it's because I see it less as a black/white situation as a Drug War problem. In a phase of my earlier life, it could just as easily have been me, whether when picking up rent or being guilty by association.


"A hearing was set for March 31st, but just two days ago the defendant Ken Hodges asked for a delay. Opposing civil rights leaders are not happy, neither is their attorney Joseph Wiley."

"Civil rights leaders in Columbus announced Wednesday they want people to avoid Riverfest this year."

Kenneth Walker shooting tape video is located here at WRBL

8 February 2005
Only related to the Kenneth Walker shooting by concerning matters related to the confidential informant who totally screwed the whole situation up.

A Muscogee County judge told lawyers Tuesday he would conduct a hearing within the next few weeks to determine whether to suppress evidence related to the Kenneth Walker shooting.


25 January 2005
Glisson say's it's Kenneth Walker fault
16 January 2005
"On the 76th birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., some 8,000 people turned out to remember the Dec. 10, 2003, shooting death of Kenneth Walker in Columbus and to honor the triumphs of the minister who made a difference in the fight for civil rights."

Lifting a unified voicePeople from all walks rally to show support for Kenneth Walker

13 January 2005
Protest growing
Organizers anticipate hundreds to walk for justice in Walker case

12 January 2005

Mayor Requests Sound Test On Walker Tape

Nearly 150 friends and family of David Glisson take to streets around Government Center


11 January 2005
Some still blame the victim

ATLANTA - The Rev. Jesse Jackson backed off Monday from calling for disinvestment from Columbus over the handling of a white deputy's fatal shooting of a black man.



10 January 2005
Local Groups Pull Out Of Walker March

Judge Mathis, keynote speaker at the local Naacp meeting says that Columbus is a city divided and can work with the Naacp or can face the ones that would burn it.


7 January 2005
A rally is scheduled in support of former deputy David Glisson on Tuesday, 12 of January, 2005.

A march is planned for the 15 of January, 2005 in Columbus, Georgia. Jesse Jackson is scheduled to attend

24 December 2004

Change of mind. The local "black" leaders do support disinvestment....Just later.

23 December 2004
The $100 million lawsuit is changing courts

and

Blacks are finding out that $'s break solidarity as local "black" leaders break ranks on Jesse Jackson's call for disinvestment from Columbus Georgia.


21 December 2004
Two items to note today:
One is that Jesse Jackson
calls for "economic disinvestment" from Columbus, Georgia. Thinking that it had weathered the storm, the "call" catches Columbus by surprise.

And the second related item is:

"The Muscogee County grand jury has indicted on drug charges three men whose activities set the stage for the eventual traffic stop in which Kenneth Walker was shot to death by a sheriff's deputy."

14 December 2004
Law suits abound.
3 sue over I-185 stop

$100 million suitWalkers refile in Superior Court, add Muscogee County to lawsuit

Hmmmm Self-insured? Columbus might want to re-visit that that sales tax issue

9 December 2004
Downtown Columbus paper on the 911 tapes

8 December 2004
News 3 has a time line of the informants information to the police as events unfolded.
They also had an excellent on-air report that balanced out the above with what the friends of Kenneth Walker said they were doing at the time.

Jessica Clark of WRBL has this report:
"While the 911 tapes don't let us hear everything from that December 10th night in 2003, you can hear what officers and medics say before and after Walker was shot."

News 3 seems to be on the ball

7 December 2004
Feds asked to help
Minority officials' letter asks Ashcroft to step in as effort begins in earnest to attract national attention
redneckin note: One way would be to email this page to your friends, cyber friends and media.

4 December 2004
David Glisson Interview 11 December 2003

"Lt. Tew: Was it an intentional firing of the weapon or was it an accident discharge?

David Glisson: I got to say that it was instinct, and I... I guess that would classify as intentional."

"Glisson Statements February 2nd, 2004"

"….well, further than I thought I would….and it felt like I was falling…I tripped…basically….and I believe that that’s when my finger went into the ….trigger housing and I pulled the trigger.

Barnes: Okay….so you’re…..you’re say’en that….now you’re say’en that it’s accidental and…
"

Downtown Columbus Paper:
Glisson: It 'went to hell quick'
Former deputy recounts night Walker was shot

redneckin: Yeah, it appears that he says I tripped but I shot on purpose....if I'm reading that right.

The collection of links and commentary, "The shooting death of an unarmed Kenneth Walker" (some pretty good rants were on these two till I had to shut down the comments for sucking up all my bandwidth.) and my orginal gut reaction to the shooting "More collateral damage in the War on Drugs"

Update 3 December 2004
Fired Deputy Glisson is seeking reinstatement.
"Glisson's Personnel Review Hearing"
"It's reportedly scheduled for Wednesday, February 16th in the council chambers conference room."


Update 2 December 2004
Royal Marshall of the Royal Treatment is interviewing Darleen Glisson.

I received this email from Royal Marshall of the Royal Treatment and side-kick of Neal Boortz after Tuesday's show:

"I actually used your site a lot this morning for my research on Ken Walker..
What a Great Set of Blogs you have going there . Good Work. .
After the show this morning I got a call from David Glissons Sister. . she had some very intresting things to say .
according to her Glisson wanted to talk days after the shooting but the sheriff and his lawyer told him not to. She also said Glisson told Sheriff Johnson the next day that he tripped and fired the gun .. and finally she said that Glisson wanted to release the video much sooner so people could see him trip on the tape. Im not sure what to make of all that . but I thought you might find it interesting. she may call my show on Thursday night. fyi. .
Thanks for the great site.
Royal"

The dead tree news

"Sheriff Johnson says Glisson's 'feel the barrel' technique was one reason for his termination"

redneckin: One thing is for sure, the tape isn't as clear to the average person as the Law supporters would have had you believe.
ColumbusGaBlog has some thoughts on the tape

"Videotape stored in locked box"
"Camera records automatically when blue lights turn on; audio device has to be activated by police officer"

"No judge yet for suit filed by DuBose"

Update 1 December 2004
WRBL
"Sheriff Timeline Reveals Conflicts in Glisson's Statement"
"Johnson showed the videotape of the shooting and then passed out a timeline chonicalling the events."

From Robbie Watson Talkline WRCG
"After seeing the tape on local news (your intrepid rednecker was in the woods till dark):The tape actually left me with more questions than answers. Difficult to see EXACTLY what happened, still trying to figure out WHICH Deputy was glisson after seeing it three times. The view is obscured and the tape is poor quality."

redneckin: This contradicts #4 below. Does anybody else that has seen the tape have an opinion?

Still no baby but my husband is sending me to the hospital to have my head examined for still working on maternity leave. Just got off the phone with the Sheriff's office

1. The family of Kenneth Walker along with all
the civil righters were given an opportunity to view the videotape and review the evidence privately PRIOR to today's press conference but DECLINED!
(Robbie emails this correction to #1)
(This morning, the sheriff's
department told me the NAACP and other civil rights people had declined or just not returned their phone calls about a private viewing. I talked to Ed Dubose who tells me he had a change of heart, along with some other people who showed up. Many others were invited to the private viewing at the request of the sheriff including several members of the local clergy and members of the Pastoral Institute.)

2. The sheriff's department has been cleared by the US Justice Department. (yesterday) There will be no federal indictment on civil right's violations. Hence the release of the tape.
3. David Glisson was drug tested immediately following the shooting and was clean.
4. Glisson's statements were, in fact inconsistant with what the evidence shows. The tape shows it was "obviously accidental" (it is, I am told morbid and grotesque, it shows Kenny being shot in the head) But Glisson gave a statement saying the shooting was quote "instinctive". The sheriff's department will not speculate on why Glisson felt compelled to give the statement's he did.
5.Glisson was fired for "procedure contrary to the
way he was trained" that night. Now, I'm considering waddling down to the press conference at 3.

"A lawsuit filed Tuesday by the president of the Columbus NAACP says the unsworn statement that a former sheriff's deputy made to a grand jury last week was against the law and should void the panel's decision not to indict the ex-lawman in the shooting death of Kenneth Walker."

Updates 30 November 2004
WRBL is reporting that the tape of the shooting will be release tomorrow 1 December 2004
I should have opened my email sooner. It's confirmed.

WRBL is reporting
"During a press conference Monday, the mother of Kenneth Walker and the presidents of the local chapters of the NAACP, Urban League of Columbus, National Action Network and Rainbow Push Coalition stood together.
"I have a sworn statement signed by an individual who Sheriff Johnson told that Glisson told him he intended to shoot Mr. Walker," claims Pugh"

"Dougherty County District Attorney Kenneth Hodges said Monday he made no recommendation to the Muscogee County grand jury that last week returned no indictment in the case involving the shooting of Kenneth Walker."......
"I can understand why they returned a no bill of indictment, but I would have understood if they had returned an indictment for involuntary manslaughter," Hodges said. "Greg and I both felt that that was probably the most appropriate charge -- if a charge was appropriate."

Yeah, Like if they had pushed it like a vehicle homicide case. Rainbow/Push is considering a economic boycott against Columbus.

"Columbus Mayor Bob Poydasheff said Monday it is time for videotapes of the shooting death of Kenneth Walker to be released."

Thoughts on 29 November 2004
the post that was linked to here has been deleted due to the recent release of information from interviews with the deputy
"It is an investigative conclusion at this point in the investigation that the MP-5 discharged twice from an automatic setting."

If a player is using the weapon in burst mode, all short bursts will fire 3 rounds.Note: There is a MP5 model that is capable of firing two round bursts. We would have to know the exact model and features selected for the deputy’s MP5 to know if it was two round burst capable, but since no mention is made , we have to assume for this argument that it was not.

All the statement “When fired with full force, it shoots three rounds. Walker was shot twice.” means is that Deputy Glisson was trying to handle a suspect with his weapon set on full automatic and the safety off, not the “programmed” setting of a “three round burst”.
The only other option would be semi-automatic, but that would require two deliberate pulls.. I wonder what the training for the police is for a perceived threat with a weapon in the semi-auto mode? Double tap?
In full auto, it is possible that a finger twitch or a bump could fire a two round burst.. Or a intentional touch in response to a perceived threat from Mr Walker as the deputy’s first statements seemed to indicate could account for two shots being fired just as easily as an accident.


Update 25 November 2004
Hodges Speaks Openly about Walker Shooting
WRBL
Roslyn Giles
"That evidence Hodges says supports Glisson's statement that the gun went off as he tripped. "He has always maintained he tripped and he did not intend to kill Kenneth Walker."

Funny, I thought that they said Walker was resisting when he was shot
"Anunarmed 39-year-old Columbus man (Kenneth B. Walker) was fatally shot by a Muscogee County Sheriff's Deputy late Wednesday during a drug investigation after authorities said the man failed to comply with the deputy's commands."
About a Grand Jury

Civil suits, federal probe next
"But two civil suits are promised and a federal investigation into whether Walker's civil rights were violated."

I really can't believe the Grand Jury results. Let's just say I'm in shock. The local media's reaction will be one of "Nothing to see here. Move along". Except for Talkline hosts on WRCG, who are knee jerk pro-law enforcement.
David Glisson meant to shoot, he did shoot. What happened in that final thirty seconds? Will the tape show what happened in that time span? Will the tape be released?
Since the Grand Jury returned a "no bill" and The deputy meant to shoot, does that make the shooting "justified"?

Update 24 November 2004 Update
Downtown Columbus Paper
Grand jury speaks: No indictment in the Kenneth Walker shooting

Update 23 November 2004 Update
/Robbie Watson, host of Talkline on 1420 WRCG radio, has informed me that the Grand Jury returned "NO INDICTMENT " of former Muscogee County Deputy Sheriff David Glisson in the shooting death of an unarmed Kenneth Walker
"The grand jury could have returned an indictment on six different counts ranging from Felony murder, involuntary manslaughter to misdemeanor manslaughter (whatever that means) The grand jury returned a no bill on all counts after hearing all of the evidence. Richard Hagler tells me David Glisson and his family are obviously relieved but "his life will never be the same". He would not describe his or his client's mood as "celebratory" rather "relieved". I specifically asked about the makeup of the grand jury, how many people...and the question people will want to know, how many black, how many white. Hagler says he won't specifically comment on the grand (redneckin note: 13 whites,7 blacks, 1 other) jury that, that would be up to the special prosecutor to comment. But it is a matter of public record and I would be very surprised if the paper doesn't publish it tomorrow.
Hagler suggests a "wrongful termination" lawsuit is in the works against the city or sheriff's department as a result of his firing. He also notes that Glisson isn't totally out of the woods yet and he "would be very surprised" if the Walker family doesn't re-file a civil suit against him.
Stay tuned for our exclusive reaction on AM 1420. By the way, I'll try to be a professional and delay the blessed event."
"Richard Hagler says he is "VERY
DISAPPOINTED" the local news media could devote all of 45 seconds to Glisson's exoneration on the early news after spending months raking him over the coals."

2:33 pm
Robbie Watson, host of Talkline on 1420 WRCG radio is reporting that four sources have confirmed the Grand Jury will likely come back with a decision today on how to proceed. Whether to prosecute David Glisson or not.

"......talking with Ralph Johnson and Mayor for immediate reaction. I'm literally going to have a baby any second and with my luck, little artichoke will make his/her grand entrance into the world, now. Was just now headed to the government center to get my own scoop but having second thoughts with each contraction. Whatever I find out I'll be happy to pass along. If I make it downtown, that is.
What I do know is David Glisson can be called as a witness to testify in front of the grand jury, he may legally choose NOT to talk on the stand also. But as we've reported earlier it only takes 13 of 25 jurors to indict and then it's a done deal. I'll keep you posted."

Come on Robbie, be a pro. Hold little artichoke in till you get the story.

"Sheriff Ralph Johnson's Statement on the Shooting of Kenneth Walker" about one month after the shooting

The collection of links, "The shooting death of an unarmed Kenneth Walker" (some pretty good rants were on these two till I had to shut down the comments for sucking up all my bandwidth. Use this page, if you wish to leave comments) and the orginal "More collateral damage in the War on Drugs" continues with

"Living with restraint
After years as gung-ho cop, former deputy David Glisson sits anxiously"

"Who was Kenny Walker?
High school basketball star, family man had many sides"

and

"Where the case stands
Injured district attorney slowly begins return to work in Albany"
Update 23 November 2004:
Grand Jury Returns No Indictments Against Glisson
WRBL Roslyn Giles
Update 4 November 2004:
Sheriff Ralph Johnson has been reelected sheriff of Muscogee County

Mayor to seek GBI review of the handling of the recent accident involving Adam Johnson, son of the Sheriff, has been launched. I don't regard this as part of the Kenneth Walker case. It appears to me to be more of a family tragedy.

Voting along racial lines
If white Democrats on the north side of Muscogee County had been faithful to their party, the county might be preparing to install a black district attorney and a black sheriff.

Update: 27 October 2004
continues. redneckin expects a decision after the citizens vote on whether or not Columbus, Georgia get a new permanent 1% tax.

Update:19 September 2004
"At some point people have to ask: What's left to investigate?"
Update: 14 September 2004
CHUCK WILLIAMS
"Two Columbus media outlets will have a hearing in front of the Georgia Supreme Court today to obtain more information about the shooting death of Kenneth Walker by a Muscogee County deputy sheriff."


Update: 6 September 2004
Carver High School basketball coach, Warren Beaulah, driver of the SUV has a few problems. Nine of them.

"The coach's records and interviews with officials show he was fortunate not only to have been hired by the school system, but to have escaped a possible prison sentence after violating terms of his felony probation."

Continued from this page