Mary Madewell reports that the Paris branch of the NAACP calls for a timely release of Shaquanda Cotton.
The Paris Branch of the NAACP called for a timely release of Shaquanda Cotton from the Texas Youth Commission after a four-hour executive committee meeting Saturday.
The group also asked that an emergency item be placed on Monday night’s Paris City Council agenda to consider naming a diversity task force.
The group also called for an expedited appeal of the Cotton case by the Texarkana Court of Appeals in motions approved unanimously by nine board members at Saturday’s meeting.
With the media attention, official in Paris are getting a little nervous. Judge Superville suggest that folks look at all the facts in another article by Madewell.
County Judge Chuck Superville says he fears for the community’s safety and is calling for the national media and other organizations to investigate the facts before drawing conclusions about the Shaquanda Cotton case..
I called Judge Superville's office and left a message. I found this statement to the media about the failure to release Shaquanda Cotton on bond insightful:
The March 2006 case is on appeal with the Texarkana Court of Appeals. The court conducted a 10-hour hearing in August 2006 to consider a request that Cotton be released on bond.
The judge said Cotton could have been released at that time but would not speculate why the appellate court did not grant the bond. The judge said he presented the facts of the case and that attorneys for both the prosecution and for Cotton presented arguments.
The real deal..they just did not give a care.
Another statement by Judge Superville:“That theme was repeated witness after witness—that the mother made it impossible to help Shaquanda,” Superville said. “She blamed everyone except the child for misbehavior.”
Weak as dirty dishwater, can we say foster care.
The spotlight of Cotton's case has illuminated some deep seated racial tension in Paris, Texas. Free Shaquanda Cotton and let the citizens work peacefully in making the necessary changes. Dallas South Blog, Shawn Williams has some interesting comments on his blog. Here's another blog.
