POLICE BRUTALITY TRIAL OF TRE GREENSBORO BLACK COMMUNITY People's Court ve. ‘The Greensboro Police Department The Greensboro City Council The Greensboro Human Relations Commission The Cuilford County Solicttor, Douglass Albright Transcript and Record of Police Brutality Trial, March 5, 1972, as held by the Creensboro Black Community through its representative body, the Bleck Citizens Concerned With Police Brutality, W.T.Brown, Chairman, and entrusted to the Greensboro Association of Poor People for publication and keeping. Trenseribers: Marie Darr Carolyn Norris Dated: August 11, 1972Badlige: Judges foraed entirely as the People's Court of integrity, the Peopl Prosecutor: Baranbee, Harambee, The People's Court ta now in session. ALR persons having business before this court, come forward and state your business. Be seated. People's Court is now tn session. Today we have the business to resolve of People vs. Greensboro Police Dept., People va. Greensboro City Council, People vs. the Greensboro ituman Relations Commission, has attended these trials, much discussion has been held in the community relevant to these trials. There have been charges made in the editorial columns of the daily nevspaper calling the Peopl Court 2 kangaroo court. Charges that these trials are uock trials. Charges that condemn the People's Court and even dare it even to @ouvene. These charges are unfounded. The People's Court will not try anyone who as not been notified of the tine and place of the trial. People's Court will afforé every defendant an opportunity to present any evidence that is relevant to the defense of euch defendant. Feople's Court will entertain any argunents or sumaation for any defendant after the presentation of all evidence by the People and the People's defendant. Bvery defendant that cones to this court i¢ presumed to be innocent and no defendant will be found guilty in this court unless there 1s evidence of his guilt Presented in open court. The purpose of this court is to hear the evidence presented here. Those who have sought to denean this court are asked to critically observe the courts of the state of North Carolina end the courts of the United States in the handling of eases involving Black people and the police. People's Court was Court of justice, and the Court has no fears when it cowos to the fair and impartial adninistration of Justice. Mr. Prosecutcr are you ready to present your case: Yes sir, I'd like to read a letter that was sent to the Greensboro Police Dept., the Greensboro City Council, the Greensboro Human Relations Comission, and Douglas Albright. Dear Sir: Black citizens concerned with police brutality have scheduled a community trial on March 5, at 3 o'clock at the Hayes-Taylor TMCA to hear both ides of the question of police brutality and related issues. Enclosed is a copy of the indictment as announced February 10th at a mase meeting held at St. Janes Baptist Church. Let us assure you that the proceddings will be conducted in a atreightforvard and orderly uaaner. Each side 2211 be given an opportunity to Preseat its views in an atmosphere of calm objectivity. BlackJudge: Prosecutor: Defense: Judges Prosecutor: Baslice: Prosecutor: Baslite: Prosecutor: Judge: Prosecutor: Judges eitisens concerned with police brutality, respect full; yOUr presence or the presence of an appropriate repr. from your office to respoud to charges made against you or your ageacy. Sincerely, W.J. Brown, Chairman of tae Black Citizens Concerned with Police Brutality. Aad your honor I'd like to Put on file a copy of this letter, @ copy of the receipt of sertified aail and a copy of the fact that they all received their mali. Permission granted, Didiyou think ir. Albrigitt received a letter? Yes, your honor, ia fact the letter chat T read is a standard copy, but 1¢ just so uappened that iis name wae the one that I read off the Letter. Is Douglas Albright dere? Mr. Prosecutor are the defendants 4a court totay? Twill aak Bailiff co call chem and see if they are here. tative here for Mr. solicitor of Guilford County? Is taere anyone from tue ciief executive or a representative of the suman Relations Comission, the wayor or representative from the City Gouneil, che Cadet oz Police or any repreuentative from Police Department. Maybe you should say one Lost could det us kuow he's here, I'm sure there's 4 xepraseatative, bog your pardon, Maybe you should say one that could let us know he's here. I'm sure there's 9 represeutacive. Ths clerk du instureted to eater a plea of not guilty for all defendants, Your honor, could we make vure that the records show that evidence of thedr being aotitied was given to you. The clerk will euter the evidetice into the records. The People’s Court will apyoiat attorucy, id Johason, Uonor graduate of the People's Law School, utilizing and admitted to practive law before tie People's Court to defend the defendants. Mr. Prosecutor will you read the chargea?Prosecutor: Yes sir, in the interest of time your Honor, although I will read ali of the counts, I would like to request two things, one is chat we try all of these people together at one sitting, the Clty Couucdi, tue Police Dept., Douglas Albright and the Human Relations Council. See that's the first request I would Like to make of your honor. Judge: Permission granted. Prosecutor: Aud secondly, although ve nave a number of counts against each vf these people or bodies, in tne interest of time we nay only ask to deal with four or five or these cases. But I tiiak that in the interest of understanding that ail of us should know all of the couuts even though we may not choose to try all of then at tuis time, if that meets your Honor's approval. Judge: Permission granted. Progecutor: Right. Two of the indictnents: the People of che Black community vs. the Greensboro Police Dept. the hearings charge that the Greensboro Police Dept. has committed crines agaiuer the Black people in that ic las unlawfuily, willfully and feloniously encouraged police brutality against the Black comundty av set forth in the following counts, Count 1, In 1969, the Greensboro Police Dept. attacked Dudley liigh School students who were engaged in peaceful picketing at the Dudley igh School for a rodrcce of legitimate grievances. Two fenale wtudeats vere assaulted and arrested at Dudley laigh School. Count 2, In 1969, tie Greenaboro City Police Dept. murdered Willie Grimes on the A & T State University campus. Count 3, In 1969, the Greensboro City Police Dept. Officers soe and wounded Clarence Svith on the A & T-State University canpus.Count 4, Ta 1969, the Greensboro City Police officers assaulted Hubert Cotton at the Christuac Parade. Count 5, In 1972) Grecnebore Police officers murdered Michael Riggins. Count 6, Novewver 21, 1971, Greansboro Police officers shot Janes Lindsay im the back. Count 7, Decenber 26, 1971, two police officers acrested lire. Elizabeth Wiodes assaulted by the police by them putting hundeuffs on her, by dragging her from her house to a police car by causing abrasions on her feet, then they twisted her arm, watch is deformed, behiad ber back. Count 4, On January 23, 1972, Roland McCoy and’ Janes McNair were in Fairview attempting to start a car, police officers arrested thom on tue basis that they were alicgedly blocking the street and spread mace in theix faces and thea charged then with false charges. Count 9, OaJanuary 23, 1972, @ Greensboro Police wonen cane to the home of Cathy Womack to look for aj juvenile who had run away from hone. The polfee vouan proceeding to call while 19 feet with the girl's house chat she wile there slapped Cathy Womack in the face. Gount 10, the Greensboro Police Dept. has cuns;tred to encourage scts of police brutality by failing to discipline its officers for acts of brutality against the citizens of the Black comunity ani by attempting to publicly whitewash 50 years of police brutality against Bleck people. These your Hoaor are our bills of indictments againat the Police Dept. of Greensboro, North Carolina, Now I'd Like to read the bill of fadictzents agaiast the Greensboro City Counsell. The People of the Slack Community ve. the Greensboro City Council. Count 1, the City Council has refused to adopt a police review board for disctpline of the police officers for acts of violence committed against the people of the community. Count 2, the City Couned2 has appropriated tux money collected from the Black community to buy riot gue, mace and other equipment to intimidate and brutalize Black people. Count 3, the City Gouneil in 1969 called ia the Wational Guard to assist the Greensboro Police Dept. in assaulting A & T college studenta. Couat 4, the City Couueil has failed to take ecand againet police violence against Black paople and the Greeasboro City Council has failed to take a leadership role in the elfmteation df police brutality. Couat 5, the City Council has since 1969 appropriated sums of money to the police~community relations department for the purpose of projecting the false image that polieement can do no wrong and that every uurder commttted by the Greensboro Police Dept. is in the isterest of the community. Those are the bills of dadietment against the Greensboro City Council. Now the bills of indictment against Douglas Albright, soliettor. The People of the Black Comunity va. Douglas Albright. Count 1, failure to present to the grasd Jury the bill of indictment for the officer who attacked Hubert Cotton with a nightetick at the 1969 Caristmss parade. Coun: 2, failure to prosecute officers who assaulted Roland MoCoy aid Charlen McNair. Count 3, being an accessary after the fact ta the surder of Michael Riggins in that he atteupted to conceal the identity of the officers responsib!e for the wurder of Michael Riggins and that uerfurther failed to prosecute the officers who murdered Michael Riggins and that he further attenpted to whitewash the murder of Michael Riggiue by statements to the local press and statements made over local television stations. Gout 4, that he has made several pubiie st. atatenents wiich tend to invite-,olice brutality under the guise of law and order, The indietnect: against the Hunan Relations Council is that Gount 1, they have failed to listen to the Black community and that specifically in the case of lire. Elizabeth Rhodes, that they failed to invite Mro. Rhodes co appear before the luman Relations Gouacdl to confront the Human Relations Council as her accuser which happened to be a weuber of the Greensboro Police Dept. He was given the opportunity to give his side of the issue. Mre. Rhodes was not and the second count is that the Human Relations Cound.Judge: Prosecutor: Judge: Prosecutor: Clerk: hao failed to recommend and push through a citizens review board which is needed to deal with the problems of the police, Those, then represent the cases thst we wieh to bring before the People's Court this afternoon, Mr. Prosecutor you may prevent your evidence. Your honor, we would like to start with count one, The attack of Dudley Kigh School studeats who were engaged in peaceful picketing aud we'd like to put inte evicence a coupie or several exhibits 4nd I'm sure your iionor and the jury can appreciate tue difficulty vf pulling togetier people who wore at Dudley at that tine, Buc we are very fortunate in that we have full testimonies that have already been presented before tie U.S. Civil Rights Commission. 1 am sure that the Peopie's Court will understand che legitimacy ©f Chee statements aud I'm sure your Honor understands the iegitimacy of these stacenents and will allow them to be used as evidence 1a tie case of the people against the Greensboro Police Dept. around the Dudley situation. So that I'm presenting to the clerk and will ask ber co read just a couple of taese because really co read all of them vould probably arouse the people too wuen in the courtroom. And we just want to read a couple of them. Madawe Clerk will you read co the people the followin; T would like tie clerk to read Bxuibit A, Exhibic B and Exhibic E. ame, Claude Barnes, Address 760 Jeunifer Street, Greensboro, N.C., Age, 17, senior at Dudley High Scioul: ‘We assembled on the corner of Lee and Lincoln Sereets, I did uot carry a placard. Harlier Thad calked with au attoruey before the dewonstration abour our right 11 paving @ demonstration. He informed me as to those rights but we did not obtain a permit to demonstrate. We were walking up aud down the videwsik on both sides of the street. At about 8:00 a.m. wueu I firat reached campus there were policemen: iu uaifors oa the cangus and I imew that Rouland Gilbert recorded the liscense plates -f all poliew vehicles there. I acticed that officer Helvin, Mayer Winn, Officer Cooper, Officer Jackson, Officer Laue and Officer Zarle were at ali tines present. At about 9:15 we vere warned by Arn Lewis once duformed that our violaticy. uf sue city ordinance und state statutes. Wien we turued to go back towards Lee Street, the police started to form a barricade as we walked. They began co grab us. I ran. 1 saw them grab Deborah Jeekeun and they pulled ner clothes from kor body. Then ome ofgicer told her chat she needed some heip to get co the wagon. We then placed his aightetick between her iege and procesitd to Life her by grabbing boti ends. Zoey tore up our placards and igus. One officer was about to hit uy friend Kenny and 1 drew back and hit him. I then turned only to see a police officer beating Jacqueline Daraeli. I hit two or three of them standing over her. ‘They they pushed me +and carried me bodily to the wagon, When policesen started to grab students, other students began to rush out of the building. I was told by Urs. Henry that I vas a subversive individual.” Name, Kenneth Weight, address, 1717 Dunbar Street, Greensboro, N.C. Age 17, "Yes, Iwas one of the pieketers. I arrived at the corner of Lee and LIneoin at about 8:00 a.m. At about 3:15 I passed cut leaflats on the camous, at witch tive I was approached Ly Gol, Andxew Johnson, who told ne that ££ I did not give him the leaflets he was going to slap the shit ot of me. He then took the leaflets form ay hand and core then up. He then took me to the principal, Mr. F.J.. Brown wiv told me to leave the campus that he did not want to see me anywore that day. I then went back to Lincoln and Lec. We proceeded at thic time to Willow Road to get other placards, We arrived and found many had been destroyed. We returned to TAncoln and Lee where we began to uarch. At about 9:15 we formed a line. We were then warned by Mr. Henry amd later by Me, Lewis that our continuation would lead to arrest. When we encountered police two of the students ran, At that time one officer put a stick on ne. After winging ne around a few tines I eaw Claude step on wy right and hit the cop and he let me go. As I curned to get dato the paddy wagon, Debora Jackson was lying on the door of the wagon and was betog kicked into the wagon by police officers. Kathy Poole told me that the officers lias a file on me and that chey had been sending yellow slips out oa ue checking oa uy activities. I was fed up with the whole aduiniutration of the school and the refusal by che administration to allow Claude to run 4n the election. T was fed up with the advice the student gave me as a result of this I vas mtivated vo participate. Personal testimony of Mary Janes, "Pirot of ail I would like to eay that I was not with the marches and that I went to wy first few classes at the time of the dncident and T was oa ny luach period which waa the fourth period. I was icaving fnglioh at the beginning of the third period went to ay locker @utside the Luuehroom and from tne other dour came the warchars wis. started curniag over tables and thon begaa satting thew up agaia, By this time I = friends had run and gone to the iat, suildiag up on the secalid flvor to get aaotker person to see Lf ve could go hoxe only I dida't make ¢¢ chac far, for when we reached the yard everyone was gathered su we decided to stop. In stopping we joined in on the conversations not talking to the cops but about them. During this one young man asked c Black cop why he was there aud before finishing he was grabbed ‘and taken avay. Then the next thing I knew I was in the afr and being beaten with a nightstick and baving my clothes tom off me, so then I was put in a poddy wagon and carried away to jadi with seven other persons, all students and fciende of mine at Dudley. I was charged wich assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. My bond was four hundred dollaté. Prosecutor: Your lionor, I would also like to phaceSudge: Defense: Prosecutor: Defense: Prosecutor: Defense: Prosecutor: Judge: Prosecutor: Defense: Prosecutor: Defense: iuto evidence and I'n sure the Jury menbers know vhat these are being Black peophe. These are the things that they sign for you wien Shey take you down. And ve've heard svora teotinony that Sister Deborah Jacksou was beaten. Tyo people have sald that. dus I'm gure when ve find ut what wan due, we find that a Varsant wae swors out for Deborah Jackson's arrest. Aid 60 T Would 1ike to pur this inte evidence agsin as the type of consipracy duu che type of proceedings that go dovn with the Greensboro ete ioe ee iba eerie of cere ee MbsEae seaaoes Lut they've warrants for Claude Barnes, they're warrants for Jackleracli vio wes another ateter vbo had indicated khat she wus manhandled by the police. and a number of other Dudley students. I do not have any varrants to pur down for the yolice who vere guilty of this assault. Your Youor may I enter fads as exhibits. Defense, do you lave any objections? I'd Like to kuow if the dates om chose warrasts are the wame dates as the dates on which the incldents occurreder vere they on the folleviag day? You may look at chen. May 19, 1969, was that the same day? I'm sorry 1 didn't hear you. These are dated May 19, 1969, is this the same day? It's our iaformation that it's edvher the same day as the day of the dncident or the day after. Sometimes the processing of the Warrants take place to the day after arrest. Sometimes they take Place weess' after vhen che police dream up new warrants to put down for people. Gherk, will you please compare che dates? 1 think May i9th is the saae date thet the demonstration took place, your Uouor. We have the Yay 19th tie date on the varrant. Kou see the date taat would be on the statenents were made not on the same day. The demonstrations took place on the 19th. The people rest on chat particular count your Hiouor. Uuless you have objections. No, the only thing I was wondering if che warrant. vere signed the day of the incidentor the day following the incident. Or if the warrant vas issued at the time of the incident. The prosecution said that thes may have been fabrication: Prosecutor: Your lionor, we can see that the demonstrations took place on the 19th of May, the warrant was issued on the 19th of May, I think those represent the same day. Defeuse: The Defense reste. Prosecutor: We'd like to deal with the second count Your Honor. I'd like to call Mrs, Elizabeth Rhodes to the stand please. Judge: ‘The Bailiff will swear in the witness. Sailif£: Do you solemnly affirm that the testimony you give will be the truth and nothing but the truth. Mrs. Rhodes: Yes. Prosecutor: Will you please tell the jury and his honer your nam Mrs. Rhodes; I am Elizabeth Rhodes Prosecutor: Will you tell them what your addrees is. Mrs. Ruodes: I live at 1310 Buck Street. Prosecutor: How long have you been @ resident of Greensboro? Mrs. Rhodes: I've been a resident of Greensboro for the last 25 years. Prosecutor: What is your occupation, Mrs. Rhodes? Mrs. Rhodes: I am a licensed practical nurse. Prosecutor: Although I know this may hard for you, would you decribe in your own words the incidents of December 28, 1971? Mre. Rhodes: (Mrs. Rhodes' testimony has been omitted due to difficulty in locating it in the original dra‘ and locating on the tapes). Prosecutor: How old are you Mrs. Rhodes? Mrs. Rhodes: I am 49 years old. Prosecutor: Did they say anthing to you after. Mrs. Rhodes: (Again an omission). Prosecutor: How may I ask, may policemen vere therf?Mrs. Rhodes: There vere 2 policemen. Prosecutor: Two policemen? Question. Mrs. Rhodes: I do not have. Question about handcuffs. Yes. Prosecutor: liow did they handeuff you? Mrs. Rhodes: I was talking on the telephone, (Ommissd4én). Prosecutor: Did you have on a pair of pants? Mrs. Rhodes: No, I had on a skirt. Prosecutor: Do you mean they dragged you out of the house? Mrs. Rhodes: Yes. Prosecutor: What happened? Mrs. Rhodes: The skirt came up above ny waist and (Oumission). Prosecutor: Wo more questions. Judge: Defense? Do you have any questions to ask? Defense: Mrs. Rhodes, you received « letter from the Human Relations Conmission? Prosecutor: Your Honor, objection, objection. Judge On what do you base your objection? Prosecutor: That's irrelevant to the particular count that we're considering now, we're considering police action against Ms. Rhodes. Not the Muman Relations Council. lowever, I'd like a ruling. think the defense attorney is about to talk about something that has not been presented. We are dealing specifically with Decerber 28, 1971. Judge: I have not heard enough of what the Defense hae to way to determine what he was about to talk about. So the Court will ask the Defense and the Prosecution to approach the bench so we can find out. Judge: The Defense has decided to withdraw ite question. Défense: ‘I _have no further questions, Prosecutor: I have another question, do you know the nane of the policemen?Mes. Rhode: Prosecutor: Judge: Defense Prosecutor: Defense: Prosecutor: Judge: Prosecutor: Prosecutor: Judge: Clerk: Prosecutor: Judge: Prosecutor: Judge Prosecutor: 10 Yes, one's name 1s Parish. I have no more questions. Defense? I have no more questions. Your Honor, on this particular count, the people rest. May I ask 1f you're going to move to something else before that I can ask that question. Your Honor, I think he's already waived hisright to ask that question. And it's drrelevant anyway, 90 I'd like to object to any consideration of his question. The Court ruled that the question was irrelevant. Thank you, Your Honor 4f you please, we'd like to go on to count 3 against the Greensboro Police Dept. and that is the case of Michael Riggins. 4nd I'd like to present in evidence and I'm sure your Honor will recognize the validity of these two exhibits. Exhibit H which ie a certificate of death for Michael Riggins, which is @ report of investigation by the Medical Examiner and I'li the clerk to read the narrative summary of the circumstances surrounding his death. The clerk will please read this evidence. (@gain an omission). So that your Honor, to repeat that, Brother Riggins vas shot 3 times through the heart, and one time thru the chest. He was shot presumably in a darkened warehouse, which means that it would take a sharpshooter with exceptional eye to shoot a wan 3 times through the heart in a darkened varehouse, according to other testimony we've heard around this case. So I'd like to Present that in evidence of this » ur Honor, I'm not sure, Mr. Solicitor. Are you presenting in evidence the statement you Just made. I just want to amplify « little bit on the evidence your Honor. Do you have any further evidence? X think that is evidence enough, but there's just one other thing we ought to bring out—~ that @n the certificate of death, the excuse on the investigation, it said what was the cause of death. It 4s also on the certificate of death. It said homicideau Now homicide even in Webster's Dictionary weans murder and if 4f means aurder, then why has nobody been brought to trial for bis murder? Judge Defense? Defense: I have no questions. Judge: Me. Prosecutor, any ‘urtuer evidence? Prosecutor: No, the defense on that count the people rest. Prosecutor: We'd like to go on to Count 9, the People vs. the Greensboro Police Dept. on Cathy Womack and I'd like to ask Miss Womack to take the stand. Judge: Bailife. Bailiff: Do you solemly affirm that the testimony you give will be the truth and nothing buth the truth? Miss Womack: ¥. Prosecutor: Please state your name. tes Womack: Catiy Womack. Prosecutor: Where do you live? Mies Womack: 3825 Claremont Court. Prosecutor: Could you speak a little louder please? Miss Womack: 3625 Apartment C, Oukland Heighte. Prosecutor: Gould. describe the incidents of January 25, 1972 to the best of yosr knowledge. Mies Womack: Yes, Well I have a close friend. She ran away from home and so she came to ny house early one morning. So while she was there me and ay friend the officer came to pick her up. Both of us were erying so cle gAabbed ne by the arm, and I told her to get her hands off me, because I was upset. So she hauled off and elapped me. So we started fighting, and then later on that evening they came back. Two policemen came by. Prosecutor: Did you do anything to cause her to slap you? Miss Womack: No, the only words I said was get your hands off me. Prosecutor: She put her hands on you before she slapped you?12 Womack: Yes. Prosecutor: Did you do auything for her to put her hands on yout Mise Womack: No, Me and my friend, we were just gtanding there, both of us were crying. Prosecutor: No more questions. Judge: Defense? Defense: I have uo questions, I'd just Like to make a request. I don't think the speaker is quite loud enough. Judge: The defense has no questions. Prosecutor! I'd like to call another wituess,‘Mrs, Shaw, in this case. Judge: Balliff will you call Mrs. Shaw? Bailiff: Do you solemly affirm that the testimony that you give will be the truth and nothing but the truch? Mra. Shavit Yes Prosecutor: Please state your name. Mes. Shaw: Jean Shav. Prosecutor: Where do you live? Mes. Shaw: 3823 E. Oakland Heights. Prosecutor: Were you @ witness to the events described by Sister Womack? Mre. Shaw: Yes. Prosecutor: ould you please explain to the court what you saw? Mrs, Shaw: Well it was that morning around about 9:30, I was standing in the yard chastising my two sone, vie” * carloads of policemen drove up in front in the court, and they proceeded to park. It was thie yellow car, beige car which I so frequently see. It was tie truant! officer's car. They all proceeded to go in this 3825 C apt. Then I asked the kide if their mother was there. So I said where is your mother? They said next to you. So I said you go down there and tell your mother that some policemen are invading her property. By that time twe wore carloads came. So by that time she got to the house, the police vere all in her house. Meantime, I vas standing at the door, I don't know exactly what they were there for I found that out later and I could see the door half-way cfacked and some scuffling. It wasMrs. W. and Mrs. Dotting ( I don'tkmow her lastname) and the police officers were having a few rounds. Meantime the child they had come to take to the detention home, they drug her, beat her handcuffed her and put her im this police car and carried her away. Which @he is nothing but 13 years old. (Again an ommission). Defense: I have no more ques*for= Prosecutor: I do, how tall are you? Miss Womack: T dontt know. Prosecutor: Would you say that you are five feet? Miss Womack: No. Prosecutor: Well, how tall? Miss Womack: About five feet two. Prosecutor: And how old? Miss Womack: 14. Prosecutor: How much do you weigh? Mise Womack: One hundred and thirty pounds. Prosecutor: Okay so, you're 5'2 and how many policemen? Miss Womack: Nine or ten policemems Prosecutor: So ten policemen\came to your house to deal with you and you're 5'2, I have no further questions, Sudget Defense? Defen: ablish whether it was at your house the police house? I just want to came or the girl’ Miss Womaek: My house.. Defense: It was at y~ir house and they came to your house looking for Miss Womack: Yes. Prosecutor: But, it was a house? Miss Womack: Yes. Prosecutor: And they did come? No further questions. 1314 Defense: How did they discover she was at your house? Did they just first go to her house? Miss Womack: (Oumission). Prosecutor: I object your Honor, I don't understand the relevance of why they came to the fact that they came, Defense: I'm just trying to cstaviish why Mise Womack had any contact at all vith the policemen if they camo to her heuse or if they came to someone elew's house and then. Prosecutor: But what we're dealing with 1s the contact, your honor, the contact. Judge: Defense, what do you propose to shou? Defense: I just want to esteblieh where the police vere coming. Judge: Where they were couing? Defense: ¥% Prosecutor: Bat the point is that 10 policemen showed up to deal with someone 5'2. She was slapped by # policewoman. Mow you're trying to establish wiy they vere there? Judge: Can you show that the reason why they (Oamission). Defense: I just want to establish how they got to Mias Womack's hou: Judge: Wby do that duportant. Defense: I'm just trying to find out why they had any contact and why they slapped her in the face. Prosecutor: But you see, he just admitted they slapped her, which is really the issue. I mean he himself admitted that they slapped her and that's the issue we're trying to deal with. I think the record ought to show that the defense attorney admitted that she was slapped by the police. All of them that came here to deal with this 5! lady and she ts 14 years old. Judge Objection sustained, Defense: No further questions. Prosecutor: I know your Honor this is a tiriog thing but in the interest of truth this has to come out. I'd like co deal with Count 10. Judge: Do you rest your case on Count 9. Prosecutor: Yes Sir.Judge: Prosecutor: Jud: Defense: Prosecutor: 45 Do you rest you have any further evidence on Count 97 Yes. Defense do you have any further questions or evidence on countt! Wo, I don't. Wow Count 10 40 that the police dept through cuetr activities have encouraged tine continuation of police brutality. Now We've brought evidence of a murder of a sioter being slapped and then kicked, evidence of an elderly wonan being dragged out of her house by burly policemen. Not to gubstantiate Count 10, the continuation of that, ve vant to bring a more recent case to show you that because nothing has been done aut these other Neo, there are wore coming aad so I'd 1ike to bring Brother 8, Johnson Badiite: Me. Johnson: Ye Prosecutor: to the stend to substantiate that claia, Do you solmly affirm that the testivony you give will be the truth and nothing but the truth? State your name. Mr. Johnson: Bernurd Johnson. ‘Prosecutor: How old are you? Mr. Johnsen: 25. Prosecutor: Wuere do you live? Me, Johnson: 80~K Dunbar Street. Prosecutor: Now you've had sus recent contact with the Greensboro Police Dept. Gould you describe that for us? Mr. Johnson: Yes, ay wife and I were having 4 little donestice problem. She took a warrant out on me. And they came to my house about 5 o'clock in the morning. Tuey started knocking and sald they were going to break ia ay house. Thad Swperior court an the charre of dicrupting the school and is now appealing an active p#ison tern to the North Cerelina Court of Appeele. Z agree by both the Meyor and the Greeneboro Daily Neve editorisl of March Zuth that the report az 2 whole is shallow, thet the report is based on erroneous mtertal meteriol end deveil and pertioularly divisive in its throst. Let us de reminded thot nelgher comon low nor statue nor constitution recognizes the right of the people to tole the law into their ow hamis, Albright! said, end advertise their grievrnces in destruction and bleed and ricte, rowdy unlawful assenblics for thie unteract? the vory right which gives then the right to asseuble and petition for redress of grievances and flouts the very covermaent which has ‘the power to give redress. Albright spoke at = luncheon at the central YMCA. Could you repent where thet wes? ‘The sombre]. YHCA, Was thot a particular group, I meen it mst have been a Tegel, group ho was talking to making those statements. You know, whet Kind of group thet was? State Advisory Comittee to the U. Was 4% some kins ing + Civil Gghts Commission, So your Honor, what ye're presenting here, that these type of statements made to thove types of lunch clubs made te these ‘types of people who want to heer that inflcnes and gives polee- men the notion that they are being supported in the things Sherine doting and be representing the Lev shonld not be running ebout thet, Defense?Prosecutor: Prosecutor: 22 Could T ask the Prosecutor » question? With Micheel Riggins Mrs Wells and Dr. Simpicin=. Mr, Albright did they say to him thet they considered this to be 9 mander? Your Honor, please, T'd like to introdues evidence again expert testimony from the newepaper where they quete De. Sinplcins as saying end urging Albright to present bi7)= of indictnent for murder te the grand jury ageinst the two officers who he said could have taken Riggins into custody without that ‘type of force, Defense, do you have any objections to thts article being submitted as evidence, And further evicence, your Honor, is that on all the cases we have brought here, on the murder of Brother Riggins, en the murder of Brother Grimes, on the beeting of Brother Johnson, ond Mew. Rrodes case there hss not been any indictnente ty his @oRicitor and that in itself is evidence of his complicity with the police dept. of this city, Defense? Does the Prosecutor have any objections te cslling Dr. Simpkins to the stand? Well your Honor, I don't eee the need. Well, that's his prerogative, Bailiff call Dr. Sinpkins to the atand. ¥ ‘The People's Court would ask Dr. Simpkins to come to the stend ly request of the Defense, Dr. Simpline is not in the courtroom. T just wanted to estedlich whether or not Nr. Albright denied to Dr. Simpline that was not a murder or you conourred that it was? Prosecution? ‘what would that mean hour Honor? The fact that he denied it? Defense? lity io 4 relevant whether Mr, Albright considered it s murder or nob? We'd like to peove whether or not its @ murders Mo, T Just wanted to further establish Omission, Well your Honor, the fact that he sin't brought up no murder ‘Ro wurder indictments telle you thet he doesn't consider it 2 murders23 Judges ‘The Defense will have all the time he needs Defense: =I. just wanted to know if to determine the attitude of Mr. Albright. Whether he thought it was murder himself or did he believe the evidence that the Prosecutor has brought forth. Defense, why is attitude important in this case? I think the prosecutor mentioned that Mr. Albright's attitude vas very bad, and I just vanted to esteblish if he thought that it was a murder at all, or if he disagreed with the attitude of Dr. Simpkins. Defense: Prosecutor: TI object: to that. I don't know that he's made a case for what's that's all about your Forer. I think we ought to move on. I think you've been more than lenient with the Defense. Judg: The prosecution refuses to answer your question, Defense. You may comment further in your final remarks. Defense: I was going to call Dr. Simpkine, but since he's not here, T will follow the argument that the prosecutor has given ae testimony. Judge: Prosecutor? Prosecutor: We rest. The last case we'd like to presmpt your Honor, 1s against the Human Relations Commission. We'd like to deal with one count. And that count specifically is the fact that Mrs. Rhodes was not allowed to come down to the Human Relations Commission at the same time the police were there and gave their proof. And I'd like to bring her to the stand, to ask her if that happened could we have Mrs, Rhodes? Bailiff: You are still under oath. Prosecutor: Mrs. Rhodes were you ever invited by the "Durhan" Human Relations Conmission to come down and give your side of what happened. Mrs. Rhodes: Well, I had a letter to come on February 8th, I believe that's the right date. Prosecutor: On February 8th? Mra. Rhodes: Yes. Prosecutor: Okay, were you invited to come dovn at the same tine that the police were invited to come down? Mrs. Thode ‘They only told me about coming down there on the 8th. Prosecutor: Do you recall ever readingMra. Rhodes: Prosecutor: Mrs, Rhodes: Prosecutor: Judge: Prosecutor: Defense: Judge: Defens Judge: Presecutor: 24 anything in the nevspaper before you vere asked to come down there? Do you recall reading in the newspaper that your case had been dealt with and that the police (Ommission). Yes. So that you were invited to come down after they had already decided that you had no case. Yes. So that you were not invited to the Council on the let Tuesday 4n January? Ho. No More questions. Defense? No questions. Your Honor, the people rest, their case against the Greensboro Police Dept., against the Human Relations Coun! City Council, against the Solicitor. Mr. Prosecutor, do you have any additional evidence against any of these cases? No sir, not at thie time. Defense, do you have any additional information that you vould like to presnet in any of these cases? Nothing further. We will now hear the final argument to the jury. The Defense will give his final argument firet, the prosecutor will give his last. I'd just like to say that the Police Dept., the Human Relations Commission and the City Council are elected officials to the city government to do 2 specific Job and it is up to you to determine whether or not according to theeevidence they did vhat ves moralfy right to the Black individuals that vere attacked and whether or not they acted in a moral way, a humane way tovard these individvale that were brought before the Court. I would k that the judge instruct you to bring back a verdiet from your own deliberations and that you not have any conversation with anyone else in the courtroom. Mr. Prosecutor. Brothers and sisters of the jury and your Honor, I think that25 férst of all this is avery serious case and I think that the deliberations should be serious. We have attempted to present to you evidence that will show you that the Greensboro Police bepc., the City Council, the Human Relations Comission and the Solicitor are all in a conspiracy against the Black community. Now what have we presented? And I say this particularly for the Buothers and Sisters in the jury because I knov how difficult this must be for you. We have presented the fact that students from Dudley were beaten by the police-- women, wowen from Dudley were Seaten by the police and then charged by them sam police; that Mrs. Rhodes, a lady that you saw here was dragged out of her house by two policemen of the Greensboro Police Dept. and deagged out of her house with no regard to the fact that she had & skirt on, (Omission) .How were they able to shoot him four times, three times in the heart? How were they able to do that? Why did they do that? The situation that we talked about with Brother Johnson, not only was he beaten, but he had to listen to some policeman telling him that he ves hiding behind his children, and that he's not even a man. You know what this reminds you of, whey they used to come in to the Black Community during the days of the Klan and come into Tiack people's houses and take their fathers out of the houses and beat their fathers before the children so that their fathers could not protect them. It's the same situation being done by the Police Dept. and ve must understand that. And in the case of Sister Womack. You can see that she may even gave us a inch or two when she said she vas 5'2 Yet che has to be slapped. Ten policemen have to come by when we have @ conplaint to make, if they come by at all? But when they come to get us there are ten of them. We have a cese where they give woney-— the City Council gives money so that the money they give can be used to pacify us. And a man would take take a Jobe and his duty is to keep it quiet around Southgate and to establish a relationship with Black students while we're being killed. And we've asked tine after time for a citizens review committee. Where ie it? It hasn't been established because the people in this conmunity don't care anything about black folks. And they'll kill us, And their killing us now and they are beatiag us. And then they don't even come down here, they don't even have the Fespect for Black folks to come down here and to testify. But we've got to go the theirs. And they keep telling us that that's ours too. How can it be ours? This is ours. How come they ain't here? So that its clear borthers and cisters that there is a conspiracy. You got a man who's supposed to represent the lav, who goes downtown making wild statements about citizens of the Black community bleming them for what's happening instead of blaming those people who caused it to happen. And yet none of them are here. But we've got some of them here. Cot some sitting26 behind me, some sitting on the side of me. Tow cone they ain't testifying? They came dovn here to do whay they usually do to spy. To go back to talk sbout what's happening. How cone they ain't here to give evidence of what's happening. How come they ain't here to give evidence of what's happening to our people? Now I know that sometimes ve as Black people have a little trouble believing ourselves, sometince even wher ve testify, some of then are sitting out there saying, well they made that up. Well, let me ask you something? Did I make thie up? Did I make up Michael Riggins’ death? Did his mother make it up? Who made that up? Who made up the killing and the way that they moved about over at A & T? Would they have gone to UNC-G, taking people's money, borken people's record players Would they have gone over to UNC-C without even letting the president of the university know that they were coming? Not hardly. Not hardly. But these sre the kinds of things that we have to deal with every- day as Black people, So I'm saying that has presented and given full opportunity for the people to come here and deny the charges. And they have chosen not to do so. And I see no way that you can come back with anything other than averdict of guilty against The Greensboro Police Dept. the Solicitor, the Human Relations Council and the City Council of Greensboro. ‘Thank you. Judge: Members of the jury, you have heard the evidence presented in thie case. It 1s up to you to decide on the evidence that has been presented to you, vhether the defendants are guilty or not guilty. If you find that the evidence ie not sufficient to convince you that the defendants is guilty on eny count, you are to assign ®he defendant can be guilty on one count and not guilty on another count. If the defendant has not offered evidence in his denfens or ha» not taken the witness stand then you are to consider that in your deliberation. Please be honest and fair in your deliberation. You may now go to your jury room. 15 minute deliberatica. Judge: Fave you reached your verdict? Jury Foreman: We have, Your Honor. Foreman: That each of the defendants is guilty on all charges. Judge: ‘The verdict is guilty of all charges, the bafliff will adjourn Court. Bailiff: | Harambee, Harambee, this court stands adjourned.