Questions Surround Samuel Evans' Death - NAACP Meets With Sheriff

The NAACP has been researching the death of Samuel Evans, the Springfield man who died last week while in police custody. There is some controversy as to the details leading up to Evans death, controversy over whether police may have used excessive force on Evans. According to reports, police officers approached Evans and some others while they were consuming alcoholic beverages outside. According to witnesses, the altercation ended with the officers slamming Evans to the ground head first. However, police deny this. Members  of  the NAACP and members of the Black Ministers Alliance met with  Sheriff John Rutherford, were expected to discuss the case on Tuesday. "It's open season against African Americans," says NAACP President Isaiah Rumlin. "We are gonna give them justice in this case, Whatever that might be. It's going to be a thorough investigation and let the chips fall where they may," says Sheriff John Rutherford. The NAACP was pleased with how the meeting went and what Sheriff Rutherford promised. "He's considered bringing in an independent source in to do the investigation, the Justice Department, we're very pleased with that," says Rumlin. Evan's family was not as pleased. His brother, Barney Evans says, "They murdered my brother. The Sheriff, he still had this mad maniac out on the street." The NAACP says that investigation as well as the Evans incident is proof JSO is targeting blacks. "We want to know how many citations, how many tickets have been issued to African Americans in this community," says Rumlin. [more] and [more] and [more]

• Witnesses Speak Out About Officers' Excessive Force [more]
• 2 Die In Police Custody: 1 Identified; Arresting Officer Faces More Abuse Claims [more]