October 9th, 2024

Grady Wayne Wilkes vs. Pamela Turner: A Tale of Two Police Killing Cases

By Earl Ofari Hutchinson

Grady Wayne Wilkes, armed, guns down one Auburn, Alabama police officer and wounds two others. Pamela Turner, unarmed, is gunned down by a Baytown, Texas police officer. Wilkes was taken alive. Turner was killed. How do you explain this? Let’s walk through the checklist of differences to answer that question.

Wilkes had no precipitating physical encounters with the police before he opened fire. Turner did have prior encounters with the police. She reportedly grappled with the officer over his taser, and seemingly posed a direct threat to the officer, triggering the killing. She had reported mental challenges.

These incidental facts on the surface seemingly would be enough to tag the cases as two different cases, two different circumstances, and two different, not unpredictable outcomes. But now there’s these add ons. Wilkes is white. He’s an ex-military man. Turner is an African. This in itself might not raise the old cry of a racial double standard in police encounter cases. What does raise the cry is why so many young whites can kill police officers and live to see a day in court. The same question hangs heavy after a mass terror shooting. And the shooter is a young white male. In almost all cases they are taken alive. The only exception is when they kill themselves.

There’s no mystery why the impotence in response to the grave threat guys like Wilkes pose. He is white, male, and a patriot. He had the right racial and social pedigree that immunized him from profiling, surveillance, scrutiny, and, not to mention from having a repeated arrest record, vigorous prosecution, conviction, and a lengthy stretch behind bars.

Countless surveys and studies have repeatedly shown that that there’s no such rarified pass from scrutiny for black, or Hispanic males. And that holds increasingly as in the case of Turner for black females as well.

This also applies to how the alleged black assailant is described. Turner’s arrest record and history of mental issues was quickly splattered all over the headlines. Baytown police officials quickly closed ranks. They vigorously defended the shooting. But to quiet things down, they placed the cop who killed her on the pro forma administrative leave and promised a thorough investigation. There was no mention of whether the officer had any prior complaints or disciplinary action against him.

Wilkes got a far different response. In fact, the response was almost no response. His slaying of the officer was reported, police officials expressed regret and sadness, and the officers assaulted and killed were lauded. But there was no vilification of Wilkes. There was no digging into his personal history and background even though the officers were there because of a report of domestic violence.

If Wilkes had gone on a mass killing rampage, another predictable pattern would have kicked in. There would have been an avalanche of news clips, press reports and news features on him. He would have been described as “troubled,” “a loner,” ‘hostile,” and “no clue he was dangerous.” Trump after one such mass murder jumped in with the stock characterizations reserved for white mass killers, as “mentally disturbed,” “bad and erratic behavior,” and with what’s hardly the revelation of the ages “a big problem.”

The Charlottesville, Virginia rampage by assorted white nationalist groups in August 2017, should have sounded loud the alarm bell that there are more than a few impressionable, distraught, alienated, and unhinged, young white males. They have easy access to the big killer guns, and stocks of ammo. They are not routinely profiled by police. So, they can take pictures with guns, parade with guns publicly, and blast away at rifle ranges or at training sites. They have no fear of exposure or arrest.

The painful fact is that Wilkes is an integral part of this sordid American saga. He could easily be the neighbor next door, the parent at a PTA meeting at a local school, or church, and always a resident of a largely white suburban community. This makes it a near impossibility to turn the mirror inward and admit that that guy who many merely write off as an eccentric, a loner, or just a plain odd ball, could easily turn into a mass killer.

Wilkes has a couple of other pluses that insulate him from the type of character taint reserved for Turner. He’s a military guy, and that makes him even more of an insider. This makes it even easier to see no evil, hear no evil about men such as him. And when they snap and kill cops, they walk away upright, and the cop killing quickly fades from the news.

Wilkes will likely be hit with a death penalty charge for the murder of the Auburn officer. After all, it is Alabama. However, he will not labeled a perennial menace to society, or terror threat. That will not be the case for men and women like Turner. The proof: She’s dead. He’s alive.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. He is the author of Why Black Lives Do Matter (Middle Passage Press). He is a weekly co-host of the Al Sharpton Show on Radio One. He is the host of the weekly Hutchinson Report on KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles and the Pacifica Network.
Photo credit: www.newsone.com

October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com

As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.

Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.

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