Written by Tanya Terry
Family members and leaders from around the state gathered on October 17 at Cathedral of Faith Church to demand justice after the dead bodies of two people were found in a Flint Township apartment on Sept. 15.
Those who gathered did so as a “symbol for justice,” according to Rev. Dr. John E. Duckworth, Michigan United, Council of Baptist Pastors. The justice sought was for 26-year-old Jesse Sharif Brown and Shanequa Fields, who was 30.
Duckworth stated the crowd was also gathered because they felt what was told to the family about the Flint Township’s standard investigation procedure were “lies.” Police said they no longer practice fingerprinting or checking for gunpowder residue. Duckworth said this translated to “a poor investigation or lack thereof.”
Duckworth stated they were there to help ensure no other African American family was “disrespected” by the Flint Township Police Department.
Before leading a prayer, Bishop Chris Martin, gun violence advocate and host pastor- Cathedral of Faith COGIC said no family should have to suffer the way Brown’s family was suffering at a time of loss. He prayed for comfort, wisdom and strength for the family.
The Brown family was present for the press conference and have been persistent in their effort to obtain information about the incident.
Jesse R. Brown Jr., father of Jesse Sharif Brown, described his son as kind, talented and full of life. Jesse Sharif Brown enjoyed playing basketball and volunteering at the food bank with his church family.
Jesse R. Brown Jr. stated that he experienced the Flint Township Police to be “unresponsive, extremely abrasive and rash with the family.”
Trische Duckworth, executive director of Survivors Speak said the group was demanding the Flint Township Police give the case to the Michigan State Police.
She criticized the Flint Township Police by saying: “You have already shown your bias. You have already shown your racism. You have already shown that you are not capable of leading this investigation with a clear mind and a clear head.”
Trische Duckworth continued: “So, we’re asking you to do the right thing and investigate because that is your job. What you’tr not doing is you’re not following leads,” she added. “The day before this young man was murdered and the young lady was murdered, there was a call from the young lady to someone that said someone popped up at her house and that the person that popped up would kill them. And the next day they were gone.”
Trische Duckworth said those present were standing in the name of God and they would have justice.
Dionne E. Webster-Cox, principal attorney at Webster Law Office in Southfield, said she was at the press conference after getting a call from Trische Duckworth and because what happened touched her heart.
“I came all the way from Detroit and I’ll come every day to let you know that this family deserves justice,” Webster-Cox said.
Sam Riddle, political director for Michigan Action Network stated: “We don’t just show up for light time or camera time. We show up when there’s serious questions.”
Riddle said he would be contacting Prosecutor David Leyton, whom he has known for many years.
Brigitte Brown Jackson, mother of Jesse Sharif Brown, held her son’s first stuffed animal. She said this year had been a year for many firsts for her son. Her son wanted badly to work, and this year he did. In the previous month, he was approved for his own apartment. This year he wanted to start on his path to educational advancement, and he was on that path.
Jackson said as a highly educated Black woman, she does behavioral analysis.
“So, I had questions, and I was put out the room just because I asked questions,” she stated.
Jackson quoted Benjamin Franklin in saying: “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are”
The Flint Township Police could not be immediately contacted for comment.
