Originally published on September 2, 2014, at ForceChange.com

Target: Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana

Goal: Investigate the alleged “suicide” of a handcuffed black suspect who police claim shot himself in the chest

Notorious for excessive brutality and corruption, police officers in Louisiana are attempting to cover up the murder of 22-year-old Victor White III by falsely labeling his death a suicide. At first, law enforcement officials claimed White produced a hidden gun and shot himself in the back. The autopsy report refutes their claims by revealing White had been shot in the chest with his hands cuffed behind his back. An investigation into the shooting of White must be launched to provide justice for his family and punishment for his killers.

According to the police, White had been arrested for a fight he was not involved in and taken into custody. After searching him twice and claiming to find drugs on him, the police cuffed White’s hands behind his back and placed him inside the back of the patrol car. As they arrived at the station, police claim White became uncooperative and refused to exit the vehicle. Even though they searched him twice, White allegedly pulled out a hidden gun and fatally shot himself in the back.

That was the official story until the autopsy report revealed White had actually been shot in the chest when he died. Although it is standard to test the hands for gunshot residue, the coroner did not conduct that test on White’s body. The coroner did find two abrasions near White’s left eye even though witnesses say White’s face had been unmarked at the time of his arrest.

Police departments in Louisiana have a repulsive history of unlawfully killing suspects, planting evidence, obstructing justice, and falsifying reports. Referred to as “ham sandwiches” within law enforcement circles, unregistered guns are often planted near suspects who have been arbitrarily murdered by police officers. The officers who killed White tried using this same tactic to cover up his execution and claim that he impossibly killed himself.

By signing the petition below you will urge the Governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal, to investigate this blatant homicide and provide justice to the family and friends of Victor White III.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Governor Bobby Jindal,

The American people demand an investigation into the alleged “suicide” of Victor White III. Police officers originally claimed White had shot himself in the back while handcuffed inside a patrol car. Recently, White’s autopsy report has revealed White had been shot in the chest with his hands cuffed behind him.

How is it possible to shoot yourself in the chest when your arms are cuffed behind your back? Why didn’t the coroner test for gunshot residue on White’s hands? And why haven’t the names of the officers involved in the shooting been revealed?

You know the answer to these questions. You know the sordid history of corruption staining Louisiana’s law enforcement. Take a stand against crooked cops and investigate this matter before another unarmed young man dies at the hands of an abusive cop.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Dickelbers via Wikimedia Commons