News Taffy

By Audrey Poff

Civil Rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson called for a federal investigation into the death of Chavis Carter whie in Jonesboro Wednesday.

On Wednesday evening, Jackson led a march of protesters from Haltom Street, where Carter died from what an autopsy report has ruled as a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The victim was handcuffed in the back of a Jonesboro police car at the time of the shooting. Carter's mother was also in Jonesboro for the march, which concluded at the Justice Complex.

The Jonesboro Police Department cannot "police itself," Jackson said, and encouraged supporters to demand that the U.S. Department of Justice step in and take charge of the investigation.

Jackson, founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and The Cochran Firm Managing Partner Benjamin Irwin of Memphis addressed the group saying questions still remain unanswered. Missing sections of an edited police dashboard camera video from the night of the shooting and questions about why the victim nor the officers were tested for gun residue contribute to the mystery, they say, and remain in dispute.

The group of supporters repeated Jackson's words outside the Justice Complex.

"This police department is occupied, but not represented," he said. "We are not looking for a personality, we are looking for justice and fairness. We do not think this police department is capable of policing itself. This is war ... until the coverup is exposed. Put ight on the wound. Take the nail out of the wound ... we've got to have healing and now."

Jackson said the group will continue to march and demand answers on behalf of Chavis Carter and his family.

"It's healing time. It's hope time. It's marching time."

Following a prayer, the vigil ended with Jackson leading supporters in singing "We Shall Overcome."