A DEGREE OF JUSTICE

With the sentancing a degree of justice has been afforded the family of Earl faison and our community but we still have a way to go. At least at this point we can say there is a chance now that the officers that beat and tortured Earl will not be able to walk away as others have done in numerous police brutality cases.

For the past five years the officers that beat and tortured faison have been able to work other jobs,spend time with their children and loved ones, and be with their families for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and other holidays.

On the other hand, during the past five years Earl Faison's family has only been able to visit his grave. His children have not been able to spend time with their father. His family could not be with him for the holidays.

Five years of freedom was not all the officers received.The system was generous in other ways.When they were sentenced four of the officers each received a sentence from Judge Lifland of nearly three years and the fifth received nine years. This was the low end of the sentencing range.the judge could have given them longer sentences.Five years was not enough freedom. They each were given sixty days to voluntarily report to prison which would extend their period of freedom beyond the fifth anniversary of Faison's death.

And the judge granted therir requests for the prison choice which was Ft. Dix,a minimum security facility.Their lawyers chose this prison so the officers could be close to their families. Such generousity is hardly ever given to the average citizen.

This unusual, bizarre, and unequal nature of "justice" in this case does not end with this.While on the one hand the lawyers of the officers were working to get every possible break for their clients,on the other they spent a great deal of time vilifying and degrading Earl Faison. One attorney went so far as to imply that Earl caused his own death!

However, from the beginning, the family of Earl Faison has remained strong in the determination to get justice in this case. In fact, their willingness to struggle has been a key factor in making possible the progress towards justice in this case.

The family's demand for justice helped to move this case beyond local law enforcement,bring in the federal government, and appeal Judge Lifland's decision to overturn the guilty verdicts.In this regard,we must commend the sttourneys fro thr family and the U.S. prosecutors in this case for their efforts on behalf of the family and winning the convictions.

The officers that brutalized Earl Faison were convicted and sentenced on civil rights violations relating to his being beaten and tortured, and conspiracy for trying to cover it up. However, Earl Faison lost more than his civil rights, he lost his life.

If Earl had not been beaten and tortured he would probably be alive today. Someone must be held accountable for his death.With the guilt of these officers being upheld in two federal courts it is difficult for anyone to believe this case does not warrant a murder investigation. It is time for the State Attorney General's Office reopen its investigation into the death of Earl Faison.