The eyes of the nation will be peering into the soul of the City of Charlotte in just a few days. On July 20th the manslaughter trial of former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Randall Kerrick will begin. Kerrick is charged with the killing of an unarmed Black man, Jonathan Ferrell, a college graduate, former football player at Florida A&M.
This will be one of the first trials of a Police Officer in a major city, in recent times. In Ferguson there was no indictment; in Cleveland there was no grand jury indictment although the clergy and other community leaders used an obscure Ohio statute to bring a judicial indictment.
I have been asked repeatedly by reporters and my white clergy colleagues, the question that is on the mind of most Charlotteans, "Will there be civil unrest?" "Will there be riots, looting, violence and destruction in our city?"
My response to that is, that the potential is present. What we must watch for very early and take note of is the make-up of the jury. If the jury is dominated by white men and Kerrick is found not-guilty, the probability of violence in the streets is almost certain.
The jury must be balanced and it must include Black men. If the jury is balanced and include Black men, I believe that regardless of the verdict, we will be able to have a civil discussion without emotional and violent reactions.
Let me know your thoughts.
Dr. P. M. Davis
Nations Ford Community Church
Charlotte, NC
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