Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Omaha Steve

(99,073 posts)
Tue Sep 15, 2020, 10:33 PM Sep 2020

Grand jury charges white bar owner with manslaughter in shooting death of Black Omahan

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Todd Cooper, Alia Conley

A grand jury on Tuesday charged a 38-year-old white bar owner with manslaughter and three other felonies in connection with the May 30 death of a 22-year-old Black Omahan during protests in downtown Omaha.

Grand jurors, who met for four days and deliberated this week, charged Jake Gardner with manslaughter, defined as the killing of another during a sudden quarrel. The former owner of The Hive and Gatsby bars also faces charges of attempted first-degree assault, terroristic threats and use of a weapon to commit a felony. If convicted of all four counts, he could face up to 95 years in prison.

The indictment was a seismic shift from 107 days ago, when Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine declined to file charges against Gardner. After reviewing witness statements and video evidence, Kleine said that Gardner had fired at James Scurlock in self-defense after Scurlock jumped on him.

Special Prosecutor Fred Franklin said he told grand jurors that he initially had expected to come to the same conclusion as Kleine had. However, the police investigation, which continued after Kleine's announcement, revealed evidence of Gardner's intent.



James Scurlock

Read more: https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/grand-jury-charges-white-bar-owner-with-manslaughter-in-shooting-death-of-black-omahan/article_7ec77c96-94be-5c5d-9e43-fbff9845c51b.html#tracking-source=home-top-story



I posted this because this case got national press for weeks after it happened.
6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Grand jury charges white bar owner with manslaughter in shooting death of Black Omahan (Original Post) Omaha Steve Sep 2020 OP
Thanks for Posting Gilbert Moore Sep 2020 #1
This is good news. I was appalled that no charges were filed at the time. scarletwoman Sep 2020 #2
+ 1. nt iluvtennis Sep 2020 #3
Impossible. The Internet Conservative Lawyers Alliance were adamant that this would be seen as greenjar_01 Sep 2020 #4
well prosecutors and groups llashram Sep 2020 #5
Suspect is a GOOD friend of Con Jr. Kid Berwyn Sep 2020 #6

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
2. This is good news. I was appalled that no charges were filed at the time.
Tue Sep 15, 2020, 11:38 PM
Sep 2020

It's still horrible for that young man to have lost his life.

 

greenjar_01

(6,477 posts)
4. Impossible. The Internet Conservative Lawyers Alliance were adamant that this would be seen as
Wed Sep 16, 2020, 12:51 AM
Sep 2020

a clear cut self-defense case. There were arguments, logical analyses, legal-sounding wordstuffs. LOGICAL ANALYSES!

llashram

(6,265 posts)
5. well prosecutors and groups
Wed Sep 16, 2020, 10:07 AM
Sep 2020

like the Internet Conservative Lawyers alliances always provide white murderers of brown people plenty of squirm room in their "logical analysis" to have the murderer slither their way out of charges. I remember Trayvon Martin's murder.

Kid Berwyn

(14,651 posts)
6. Suspect is a GOOD friend of Con Jr.
Wed Sep 16, 2020, 10:14 AM
Sep 2020


Black Protester Shot to Death Outside Omaha Bar

The slain man was identified as James Scurlock, 22. The white bar owner was reportedly in custody.


by Tracy Connor
Daily Beast, May 31, 2020

Excerpt...

(Jake) Gardner made no secret of his political and philosophical views. In 2016, while in Washington the attend President Trump’s inauguration, he was interviewed about his views on the Women’s March underway.

“Everyone has a right to speak their mind,” he said, wearing a Trump sweatshirt, with his dog Bron in a MAGA vest.

“Everyone loves the dog until they see the vest,” he said.

He posted a photo in 2017 of himself and Bron posing with Donald Trump Jr. with the caption: “Here’s a guy who returns my emails 100 percent of the time, every time. #FAKENEWS #BRONANDDON.”

Continues...

https://www.thedailybeast.com/black-protester-james-scurlock-shot-to-death-outside-omaha-bar?ref=home
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Grand jury charges white ...