19 Rounds
https://www.netflix.com/watch/81025116?trackId=14170289
This documentary series is called “Trial by media”. It can be viewed on Netflix. It explains how the media influences court cases and trials across America. The cases are mostly based on race, and the controversy and that surrounds these cases is usually covered nationwide. The third episode is titled “41 shots”, by Garret Bradley. and talks of the story of Amadou Diallo, a black street vendor living in the Bronx in New York in 1999. He was originally from Guinea, West Africa. He was the son of Kadiatou Diallo, who had him at the age of 16. They lived in Guinea, West Africa. Amadou aspired to obtain a computer degree in the U.S. So, his mother got him a visa to go to the U.S. America was hope for Amadou. Amadou was an immigrant and had not yet obtained citizenship. This is related to our current topic in class, how the justice system treats immigrants differently. In the 1990’s, there was a lot a racial tension in New York because of poor living situations, and the rising crime and murder rates as well. The mayor elections were occurring in 1993, and Mr. Dinkins defeated Mr. Giuliani, becoming New York’s first black mayor. While he was in office, crime went down, and murder/assaults went down. Many people praised him, but many resent him. Mr. Giuliani was very different, taking a more aggressive approach to crime. He won the reelection against Mr. Dinkins in 1994.
Mayor Giuliani had established the elite street crime unit, that was designed to reduce crime in neighborhoods. It was compromised of officers that wore plainclothes, riding in an unmarked car. The citizens complained about the police force, saying the harassment to minorities was unfair. This was a result of the history of violence in New York. Like Abner Louima was nearly killed two years earlier when beaten in the men’s room of a police station. In another case, Anthony Baez was killed by a cop, after being held in a choke hold when his football hit a police car. Diallo’s case was no different. On February 4th, 1999, Diallo had just come back from a meal around 12:40 a.m. Then four officers in an unmarked car, drove up in plain clothes. Diallo was standing on the vestibule of his apartment on wheeler avenue. The officers asked to see his hands. The officers later stated that he matched the description of a serial killer from a year ago. Diallo proceeded to pull a black square, his wallet, out of his pocket. One or two of officers thought it was a gun and opened fire. They fired at Diallo a combined 41 shots, or 19 rounds. A door was behind Diallo and there were two walls beside him, so he had nowhere to go. He was hit 19 different times by the officers. Diallo was unarmed and committed no crime, which very much excluded the need to fire at him. This, along with the fact that he was black, outraged people. This raised many questions on how safe you were on your doorstep. The four officers involved in the incident were Richard Murphy, Sean Carroll, Kenneth Boss and Edward McMellon, all white officers.
This started many protests around the city. Led by Al Sharpton, a revered activist in the area that was the face of a movement for rights of minorities. Diallo’s mother, Kadiatou, came to the U.S. to find out what happened. She broke down when she went to his apartment. She had not seen him for two years. She was distraught because she knew Amadou could have no problems with police. She started speaking with Sharpton, going to rallies, sit-ins, and protesting about her son. She would not stay quiet regarding him.
When the officers realized they could be criminally responsible, they all obtained legal representation. The trial was originally set in the Bronx. The Attorneys for the officers said that jurors in the Bronx have prejudice towards cops, and this would compromise the jury pool. They suggested the venue be changed. The motion was approved. The change meant an entire new set of jurors. Going from 19% white in the Bronx, to 89% white in Albany, New York. The case was now decided by 6 white males, 2 white females, and 4 black females. The trial itself was broadcast on live TV. They were witnesses brought in, and testimony was made. The big issue was how the defense was to justify 41 shots. All 4 officers took the stand. They said Amadou was tugging at something in his wallet. He pulled out a black square object, and they started firing. Carroll fired the first shot, and it led the other officers to fire. The officers put compassion and sorrow into the testimony.
The jury started deliberation for the case. The jury came back and acquitted the four officers of murder. The public was outraged because they were basically stating that Amadou caused his own death. The street crime unit was disbanded in 2002, following federal investigation, it was found the unit was involved in racial profiling. Mcmellon and Murphy joined the New York fire department. Carroll and Boss returned to the police department and are now retired. In 2004 Kadiatou Diallo settled a civil suit with New York City for 3 million dollars. Kadiatou started the Amadou Diallo Foundation, which provides supports and scholarships for students. My understanding of how media works changed very much. They focus on the things they want us to focus on, like how the prosecution never called the mother to the stand.
References
Different rules for whites. (n.d.). Retrieved October 16, 2020, from https://d2l.iup.edu/d2l/le/content/2963644/viewContent/22955062/View
Can prosecutors and public defenders team up to produce fairer justice. (n.d.). Retrieved October 16, 2020, from https://d2l.iup.edu/d2l/le/content/2963644/viewContent/22757064/View
Trial By Media. (2020, May 11). Retrieved October 16, 2020, from https://www.netflix.com/watch/81025116?trackId=14170289
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