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Online Petition & Rally to Free Howard Morgan NOW!!!

Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 5:39PM

Bean Soup Times tagged

african american news,

black news,

black people in

Activism,

Black Women

FREE HOWARD MORGAN

Acquit Him of ALL Charges

Support needed!

Watch the video, sign the petition, attend rally Friday, Feb. 17 at NEIU Inner City Studies at 6pm CCICS at 700 E. Oakwood Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60653 and help us pack the courtroom on Feb. 21!

Black Policeman Shot 28 Times by 4 white Chicago Cops and Lived

Howard Morgan, a former Chicago Police Officer before spending 13 years as a Railroad Police Officer for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, pulled over on his way home the morning of February 21, 2005, because he saw a police car behind him and was letting it pass. To Mr. Morgan's surprise, he discovered that the police had stopped him for an alleged traffic violation.

Though identifying himself as a police officer, Howard Morgan was forced from his vehicle and shot 28 times by four white police officers. 21 of those shots were administered to the back of Howard Morgan's body. An independent eye witness testified that Mr. Morgan never fired a weapon. A jury acquitted Mr. Morgan of the charge of aggravated discharge of a firearm. How then, could Howard Morgan, by any stretch of the imagination, be guilty of four counts of attempted 1st degree murder of the police officers who shot him?

When originally tried in 2007 for the Feb. 21, 2005 incident; Howard Morgan was charged with four counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm.

In 2007, a jury acquitted Mr. Morgan of the two counts of aggravated battery as well as the count of aggravated discharge of a firearm. However, the jury was hung on the other five remaining counts; after which Judge Clayton Crane, the presiding judge, declared a mistrial.

The double jeopardy law, as outlined in the 5th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, restricts government, by collateral estoppel, from re-litigating against the same defense a fact necessarily found by the jury in a prior acquittal, as in Ashe v. Swenson, 397 U.S. 436 (1970); even if the jury hung on other counts as in Yeager v. United States, 557 U.S. 110 (2009).

Therefore, Howard Morgan should never have been tried a second time in 2012.

Double jeopardy was named such because it was expected that the laws would be followed. Howard Morgan does not need a third trial which would then go beyond even double jeopardy. His prosecution, which has become persecution, need not grow exponentially with injustice. Mr. Morgan deserves to be set free.

Not withstanding the above; even the evidence in the 2012 trial was insufficient to sustain a conviction. Therefore the Court is compelled to enter a judgment of acquittal.

The destruction of evidence, withholding of evidence and lack of evidence gathered did not allow Howard Morgan the due process of law afforded him under the U.S. Constitution, 14th Amendment, and the State of Illinois Constitution, Article 1, Section 2; as he was not given a fair trial in 2007 or 2012. Howard Morgan's van was crushed and destroyed without notice or cause before any forensic investigation could be done.

The State only produced 3 of the 28 bullets shot into and taken from Howard Morgan's body, whereby the rest of the 25 bullets could have shown whether or not the police officers who shot Mr. Morgan shot him with his own gun after taking it from him.

Howard Morgan was never tested for gun residue to confirm if he even fired a weapon on the morning in question.

The State never produced the actual bullet proof vest worn by one of the officers who claimed to have allegedly taken a shot directly into the vest on the morning in question. The State only produced a replica.

All of the above facts are a blatant obstruction of justice.

The 5th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects against "double jeopardy."

The 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution affords the right to a "speedy trial" by an "impartial jury." (being tried twice over a period of five years is not speedy.)

The 8th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects against "cruel and unusual punishment."

The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution affords "due process of law."

All of the rights above, which are guaranteed Mr. Morgan by the U.S. Constitution have been violated by those representing the government which gave them to us.

On February 21, 2012, Howard Morgan is scheduled to be sentenced for crimes he did not commit. Let's pack the courtroom that day and stand for justice.

Criminal Court Building

2650 South California

Courtroom 600

Chicago, IL 60608

9:00 a.m.

Please sign this petition to Free Howard Morgan and show your solidarity that united as one voice we have power and can make a difference.

http://www.change.org/petitions/please-help-us-free-howard-morgan

For further information, and to join on to the Free Howard Morgan Campaign, go to:

www.freehowardmorgan.com

Campaign Hot-line : (877) 644-1107

Donations can be sent to:

The Howard Morgan Defense Fund For Justice

Church of God

c/o Mrs. Rosalind Morgan

1738 W. 67th Street

Chicago, IL 60636

Click here to join email list to say updated on this situation and more.

(Pics & Video) 'Fro Fashion Week with Afrobella & Comedian Kim Coles!

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 8:36AM

Bean Soup Times tagged

Black beauty tips,

african american news,

natural hair in

Photos,

Thanks to the shakers and movers at Brainchild Associates we got an update on this great event that included Kim Coles who deserves big props for keeping her hair natural in a Hollywood environment. Design Essentials Salon System taught new styling techniques and hosted 'Fro Fashion Week's Blogger, Brands & Brunch alongside Patrice Yursik, the founder of Afrobella.com, Actress & Comedian Kim Coles, and a host of natural hair bloggers.

Tracey Gibson, Director of Marketing at McBride Research Laboratories presented Actress & Comedian Kim Coles with a Design Essentials Natural gift set at the 'Fro Fashion Week Gifting Suite. Photo Credit: Design Essentials

Design Essentials Salon System taught new styling techniques and hosted 'Fro Fashion Week's Blogger, Brands & Brunch alongside Patrice Yursik, the founder of Afrobella.com, Actress & Comedian Kim Coles, and a host of natural hair bloggers.

Cornell McBride Jr., CEO of McBride Research Laboratories took a snapshot with K.D. "HairGurl" during the 'Fro Fashion Week Gifting Suite. Photo Credit: Design Essentials Rebecca Mariolis (left), Director of Education at McBride Research Laboratories and Cyntelia Abrams (right), Marketing Coordinator at McBride Research Laboratories chat with Patrice Yursik, the founder of Afrobella.com during the 'Fro Fashion Week Blogger, Brands & Brunch. Photo Credit: Design Essentials

(L to R) Natural Hair Care Expert Felicia Leatherwood, Rebecca Mariolis, Director of Education at McBride Research Laboratories, Actress & Comedian Kim Coles and Cyntelia Abrams, Marketing Coordinator at McBride Research Laboratories all pose for a snapshot after the 'Fro Fashion Week Bloggers, Brands & Brunch. Photo Credit: Design Essentials Design Essentials Master Educators Francesca Adams and Deshonica Green show finishing natural styles of their natural hair models at 'Fro Fashion Week. Photo Credit: Design Essentials

NEWS RELEASE: V103 Chicago Adds The Sweat Hotel to Late Night Line-Up

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 6:02PM

Bean Soup Times tagged

african american news,

slow jams in

Music,

Keith Sweat

The Sweat Hotel Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary and Marks 50^th Affiliate with WVAZ-FM

Chicago - February 10, 2012 – V103 announced today the addition of The Sweat Hotel to its late night programming line-up, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 15. The Sweat Hotel will air weekdays from 1-5:00 a.m. CST and Saturdays from 1-6:00 a.m. CST on V103.

The Sweat Hotel is hosted by Keith Sweat and features a special blend of ‘love talk’ and R&B slow jams.

The Sweat Hotel was rated the No. 1 nationally syndicated urban adult contemporary (AC) evening radio show in the U.S. by Arbitron’s fall 2011 metro ratings. The show features special guests and live in-studio musical performances. Sweat also engages listeners by encouraging fans to call in with their confessions, apologies and dedications. This month, The Sweat Hotel celebrates its five-year anniversary and now broadcasts to 50 affiliates nationwide. The Sweat Hotel began national syndication through Premiere Networks in February 2007.

“It’s such an honor to be heard on V103,” said Sweat. “I’m truly blessed to have the opportunity to reach this great audience through my radio show every night. I can’t wait to welcome Chicago to The Sweat Hotel!”

“Keith Sweat is a Chicago favorite and remains one of music’s most engaging singer-songwriter-producers,” said Derrick Brown, Director of Urban Programming, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Chicago. “The Sweat Hotel has a coast-to-coast radio following that has grown tremendously and I couldn’t be happier to have Keith’s talent and versatility on V103’s team.”

The All About Love Valentine’s Day Concert will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 14, the night before The Sweat Hotel’s debut in Chicago. The concert will feature Sweat, Fantasia and Eric Benet at the Arie Crown Theater. Sweat will be available for interviews at the V103 Coca-Cola Lounge.