This Week Injustice- March 3, 2024

Seasonal allergy & bug bite edition

White cherry tree blossoms in Birmingham neighborhood

Good afternoon from Alabama on this beautiful Sunday afternoon.

The churn of spring is on us, with trees blooming, pollen flying and mutating weather in full swing. As I began typing this, I felt a pinprick on my forearm, looked down and saw a sliver of a brown bug and swatted it, then crushed it between my fingers. I think it was a flea.

The nerve! Biting me in my own house. It must have caught a ride on my clothes while I took an afternoon walk. I have no idea what it was. I guess it’s time to check the dogs and make sure we’re not being overtaken by parasites.

I now have a small red bump on my arm, angry and hot. I want to scratch it, but I know that will only make it worse. So I just paused, retrieved some ointment from the medicine cabinet and treated it. It now itches less. I’m going to survive.

My point in sharing this—these are unstable times and we must take care of ourselves. Creatures are waking up and some may want to bite you. Be on guard, do what you need to protect your body/mind/soul and remember, scratching at the sting will only deepen the bite.

May we all find ways to restore our resolve in this season of changes. Here’s a look at stories about justice and injustice in Alabama this week. I have a survey at the end of this newsletter asking for suggestions about what issues/stories you’d like to see covered. Please fire away!

ADOC/DEATH PENALTY

Rep. Chris England has filed a bill to prevent organ harvesting in response to three families who have come forward after their loved ones died in ADOC and were returned missing organs, while UAB released a statement denying that the university has harvested organs from people who died in prison. 

A former Sgt. at Staton prison was sentenced to five years after being convicted by a Montgomery county federal jury for “savagely” beating a man who was suicidal, then lying to cover it up. 

A CO at Kilby prison was arrested, along with his wife, for allegedly smuggling contraband into the prison in exchange for payment. 

Latest in AL.com series on Alabama’s busted parole unspools the ordeal for one man sentenced to life without parole for a grocery store stickup with no physical injury. After 25 years in prison, a judge agreed he deserved a chance at parole and reduced his sentence. Guess what happened? The parole board still denied him. 

In-depth interview with leaders of two unions who signed on as co-plaintiffs in the landmark lawsuit against ADOC calling prison labor “modern day slavery.” 

Experts continue to argue that Alabama should not be allowed to conduct another execution by nitrogen suffocation. Despite growing concerns, the state wants to kill two more men on death row, including one by nitrogen hypoxia. 

POLICE/JAILS 

Death of Walker County man who died of hypothermia in jail declared a homicide due to medical neglect. The death of Tony Mitchell in January 2023 made international headlines after his family said he was tased by police and locked in a jail freezer. The sheriff disputes this. His family has filed a lawsuit. The death certificate was posted by a Facebook group supporting Mitchell. 

Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway says he needs more money for officer retention, cites department being 70 employees down from optimal workforce as evidence that  pay needs to be higher.

LEGISLATIVE SESSION

A bill to allow expungement for youthful offenders charged with misdemeanors has cleared the senate judiciary committee. It will now go to the full senate. 

One bill proposed would criminalize the transportation of homeless people to new cities. 

POSITIVES 

Bloody Sunday commemorations culminate in Selma today, with several big names appearing, like VP Kamala Harris and AG Merrick Garland. I wonder if Garland will spend any time on the DOJ lawsuit against ADOC? Or even think about it while he’s here? The jury is still out on that. 59 years later, challenges remain, especially with voting rights. 

The Poor People’s campaign held a rally in Montgomery Saturday. 

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox has teamed up with Gov. Kay Ivey for a “disagree better” campaign, aimed at reducing political vitriol. An upward battle considering the king of insults & pettiness is on the presidential ballot, but maybe little ole Alabama can be a good example in the current political rot.