The News-Gazette.com: Speakers chide police at Champaign council meeting

Speakers chide police at Champaign council meeting

By Steve Bauer

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 3:38 PM CDT

CHAMPAIGN – Dozens of voices cried for changes by the Champaign City Council on Tuesday night in the wake of the Oct. 9 fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy.

Many people attending the council meeting called for the resignation or firing of Champaign Police Chief R.T. Finney.

Others called for repeal of a use-of-force policy clause that reportedly allows use of deadly force, if necessary, to prevent escape or resistance.

"If you try to escape the police, they can kill you," former Urbana City Council member Danielle Chynoweth said, adding that police can also use deadly force and harm someone who is deaf or has mental problems that prevent them from understanding police orders.

"Or if you are a young person, resistance can equal death," Chynoweth said.

Albert Carrington III of 601 E. Columbia St., C, the father of 15-year-old Kiwane Carrington, who died as a result of the struggle with police on Oct. 9, said, "This hurts me. I think the police should have acted differently."

"I would hate for this to happen to another kid," Carrington said. "This shouldn't have happened to my son."

Finney and Officer Daniel Norbits were involved in the incident, along with another teenager who was arrested and subsequently charged in juvenile court with aggravated resisting an officer. The surviving youth is accused of failing to obey a command by Finney to get down and of trying to run and push past the police chief, police said.

Officers were dispatched to 906 W. Vine St., C, because of a report of a burglary in progress at 1:20 p.m. Oct. 9. Finney was first on the scene and was injured in the subsequent struggle. During the struggle, a gun fired, police said.

Mr. Carrington was shot in the chest and died shortly afterward at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Norbits was placed on administrative leave pending investigations into the incident.

Sgt. Bill Emery, a spokesman for Illinois State Police District 10, which is the lead agency in a multi-agency team, said again Tuesday that the investigation is continuing.

The team is still interviewing witnesses, collecting and analyzing evidence, he said. When the investigation is done, reports will be given to the task force and the Champaign County state's attorney for review, Emery said.

The Champaign City Council agenda was trimmed last week in anticipation of a large crowd attending the meeting Tuesday. Large crowds also attended a candlelight vigil and Mr. Carrington's funeral.

Here's a selection of quotes from those who spoke at Tuesday night's Champaign City Council meeting:

"I just ask that something be done," said Champaign resident Markisha Motton, who knew Mr. Carrington from the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club.

"I speak because I'm glad we live in a society where we can question policies," said the Rev. Jim McClarey of the Savoy United Methodist Church, who is Police Chief R.T. Finney's pastor and ministers to all people. "Resignations are not the answer."

"I don't care if it was a 45-year-old white man," said Kortinee Miller, who tutored Mr. Carrington at the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club. "The officer's procedure was wrong. ... It's not about him being black. If he was white, I would feel the same way."

"Mayor, this is your job, this is your city. You've got to do something about it," said Marques Lowe, a University of Illinois student who lives in Savoy, who said he plans to get involved with the community as they walk, march and write.

"It is time for a change. We really need to look at this system and do something before we are hurting again," said Eloris Nash of Champaign. "We must come together. ... We need to fight for our young people."

"Ya'll need to stand up and bring about a change, because this cannot go on," said Krist Sallae of Champaign.

"We do have good police officers in this town," said Champaign resident Martel Miller. "But we do have some out of control." He said he called the mayor three weeks ago to talk about the conduct of a police officer, and had noticed officers with their guns out when they were talking to teenagers. "Here's what I don't understand ... ain't no way in Champaign County an unarmed 15-year-old kid needs to be dead by the people who swore to protect and serve."

"I don't hear of Caucasian areas with kids getting shot. That's ridiculous," said Ruby McCullum. "This is human brutality. We are human beings. We are not cattle. We do not graze. ... We are afraid for our children, our grandchildren."

"How many of you up there are listening to us? ... do you truly, truly, want to hear us?" said Glenda Thomas of Urbana, adding that she's not angry, she's scared for her nine grandchildren who live in Champaign. "Please, please don't just sit there. ... Please, please get a handle on this."

"I didn't see a lot of you guys at the funeral and at the vigil," said Seon Williams, a relative of Mr. Carrington's who owns the Whip barber shop. "This community has been scarred."

"We need answers," said Champaign resident Dennis Atkins. "A lot of people out there are still wondering, what happened that day? ... The truth will come to the light. What's in the dark will come to the light."

Finney should resign or the council "should let him go so fast the door doesn't hit his behind on the way out," said Urbana resident Neil Parthun.

"We have come to see Finney as central to the problem," said Danielle Chynoweth, a former Urbana council member who identified herself as from CU Citizens for Peace and Justice. "That he would draw a gun on an unarmed child (or allow a colleague to do so) is unconscionable."

"All this could've been resolved with simple common sense," said Anne Newbern of Champaign.

"Since 1960, something should have changed in Champaign and Urbana," said Hattie Paulk, who said she's concerned about how police treat local kids.

"The kids are not resisting arrest; they're resisting injustice," Terry Townsend said.

Meg Thilmony and Tim Mitchell