06 December 2010

UPDATED: "There's a killer on your block"

Note: I have closed the comments for this post, because I'm concerned about the tone that has emerged there. To those who believe that we are casting a verdict in this case, please note that we simply wanted to show what we believed was a strange, and ultimately not productive, letter that we received. We fully believe in the presumption of innocence of anyone who has been accused of a crime. Mr. Kearney will have his day in court, and only then will innocence or guilt be determined. We have also made no judgments about the family, and will continue to remain unbiased observers of this story as it unfolds.

Original post continues below:

The deaths of Jamal Wilson and Joseph Alonzo Sharps, Jr., have been in the news quite a bit lately. The news hit close to home (literally) for us a few weeks ago when we heard the name of one of the accused in these crimes: Kwan Kearney. The Kearneys live down the street from us.

Things have been quiet on the block since the night that Kwan was arrested for these two homicides. News spread from neighbor to neighbor, and we've assumed that everyone nearby knows what has happened.

Apparently, though, someone wanted to make sure that we were fully aware of the situation. This arrived in the mail today:


It's an envelope with no return address (and no recipient name, just our address), containing a photocopied printout of this Washington Post article. As you can see, a note was added in large, bold print, alerting us that the accused lives on our block.

The note should have said "lived," because Kwan is currently in jail awaiting trial.

10 comments:

  1. Is the sender of this note trying to urge you to "Eat Great, Lose Weight"? Unless there's another page we don't see, the substantive body of the thing starts in mid-sentence. The anonymity and slapdash-ness of the thing seem to make it all the more spooky.

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  2. lucre: I should have been more clear. The printout was two-sided, and I only photographed the back side of the page here. The rest of the article is on the other side.

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  3. I think it is a great idea. DYRS has failed society as a whole and the Council does nothing about it. What is the average citizen to do? We have no way to protect ourselves from these kids.
    Why not use the First Amendment. Out them. I wish I had that kind of info for the kids around my block. I just know about them when they shoot each other.

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  4. And the victim's family lives across from my house. I moved in just after the killing and saw all of beautiful flowers left on their porch. Very touching and yet at same time, the reality of living in Trinidad set in. Fortunately I see a great community with uber-friendly neighbors and I keep that in mind when I talk about living in Trinidad.

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  5. WHO FUCK EVER DID SUM BULLSHIT LIKE DAT SHOULD ROT IN HELL BCAUSE BY BABY AINT NO KILLER..

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  6. I think that this letter shows how fucked up the media is and how influental it is to the people beause no one really knows what happens in either of the situations yet everyone is bashing this kid and calling him a murderer. In fact there is nothing to say that he has been convicted on either murder, so everyone is just going off alligations, which takes away his natural right of being innocent until proven guilty. Now regardless of what the verdicts will be this child will always carry this negative stigma with him, which just makes me sick. People we have to wake up! The media is continuously creating monsters out of, wheather you like it or not, our children.I say our children because we are the neighborhood and it is our responsibility to change things with our youth, so instead of pointing a finger lend a hand. Again the media is slowly but surely tearing our neighborhoods apart with bullshit like this that makes us veiw each other as monsters, and forces a guard up against each other. My opinion is that if you are not from or was raised in my neighborhood, you cant tell me nothing about it. Meaning the media so in the words of the real people in the neighborhood, FUCK OFF!!!

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  7. For all you ASSHOLES who dont know what you are talking about Kwan will be home because he is innocent of both murders!!! Thats what you get for believing the hype. Now make a letter about that BITCHES!!!

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  8. We ask for all comments to be civil and constructive. Swearing is not permitted, and personal attacks are not permitted. Either stop, or all comments will be deleted.

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  9. I have peacefully observed and read the newspaper articles and now these internet opinions regarding the aforementioned story. It is heartbreaking for what the victim's family must be going through. It shouldn't happen to anyone. However, the information provided regarding this story has been provided by first the police then by the press. When considering the police' version, we must ponder the fact that the info they provide is strictly one sided so as to assist with their possible prosecution of the case. It is not factual nor complete. While I will not succumb to demean the victim, the complete history of all involved has not been made public nor the complete fact of the case has not been revealed. This society is quick to pass judgement where that should be left to the Almighty. Both sides of this tragedy is surely suffering. For these faceless, nameless and heartless opinion offerers to pass judgement on what "they have read" is unjust and inconsiderate. Unless you have children yourself, have been a victim of a crime, or are wholly and without reproach, take the time to learn and understand all the facts. Whether in Trinidad or Chevy Chase, neighborhoods can only come together when we work together.

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  10. Okay, it seems that IMGoph & a few others are passing judgment without knowing the facts. There are always 3 sides to a story such as this one; 1. The police 2. The victim 3. The accused. The media is tainting the minds of the neighbors on Oates and in the world at that matter. The parent has nothing to do with the actions of a child and with that said if you knew the accused teenagers family you would know that they are good people with great faith in GOD! So called neighbors are just people who live on the same block, you are not a friend of the accused child's family if you would post such harsh and outrageous comments as such. If you are really and truly concerned, learn all of the facts and each and every side to the story. This young man is innocent until proven guilty!!! I believe the letter that is being mailed around is from a faceless coward. Leave the parents and family out of your comments. There is a comment on here regarding to not make "personal attacks"; I feel the personal attack was made when you put remarks about the accused child’s family into these comments. You will never know how to feel about a situation like this until you or a loved one have experienced such and you will understand better. The media is definitely affecting the possibility of a fair trial in which they always do; even with no substantial evidence, the media has already tainted the minds of perspective jurors. I am ending on this note; YOU DON'T KNOW THE ACCUSED, YOU DON'T KNOW THE FAMILY, & YOU DON'T KNOW THE FACTS...so mind your business POINT BLANK PERIOD.

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