Setting the record straight on black man found hanging in the park

  

News that a black man was found hanging from a tree in Orlando is alarming to most black people in America given this nation’s ugly history of racist lynchings, which is why we reported this story.

A report like that can grow and become more frightening as time passes, which is what happened in the case of Nevan Baker, 22.

On Oct. 5^th 32805OrlNews and Orlando Urban News published a video interview with one of Mr. Baker’s relatives who spoke to us with the blessing of Mr. Baker’s mother.

The relative insisted there was no way Mr. Baker would kill himself. That relative also told us that when Mr. Baker’s body was found there were signs that he had been beaten, there were injuries to his face and a tooth was missing.

The grief-stricken family disputed the police conclusion that Mr. Baker killed himself. Black people have good reasons not to trust the police because of false and misleading information law enforcement have presented in other instances. We also questioned the investigative procedures police used to arrive at the conclusion that Mr. Baker killed himself.

The family believed that Mr. Baker was the victim of foul play. No one can fault the family’s opinion as Mr. Baker was their loved one. They knew him in life. We did not.

In addition, there were reports on social media that not only was Mr. Baker beaten, but he was found with his hands tied. We never reported that his hands were tied, but many others did.

Since then we have learned compelling information about this case. We have an obligation to share that information with our audience. Here it is:

·        Mr. Baker’s hands were not tied. We’ve seen photos taken at the scene of his death. Mr. Baker’s hands were not tied. He was not wearing a shirt when he was found.

·        There are no signs of injury on Mr. Baker’s face or body, contrary to what the relative told us in the video interview that we published. If he had been beaten those injuries would be apparent after his death. We don’t know if there was a missing tooth, but a loose tooth could have popped out at the time of his death.

·        We questioned the origin of the rope Mr. Baker was hanging from. Photos of Mr. Baker’s body shows that “rope” appears to be nylon line that is common in boating. The tree Mr. Baker was hanging from is a few feet from a boat launching area at Barker Park.

·        There was no hangman’s noose. It appears the nylon line was tied in a simple slipknot.

·        Body cam video shows that the police officers who found Mr. Baker hanging from the tree acted quickly and professionally to cut him down and try to revive him.  Those officers should be commended. That reality is contrary to some of the social media chatter.

·        There’s no evidence that any hate group had a hand in Mr. Baker’s death, despite some of the social media speculation, according to a trusted source that monitors hate group social media.

·        Information has been uncovered that Mr. Baker may have tried to harm himself in the past.

So what happened to Mr. Baker?

We don’t know.

Whatever happened is a tragedy. A loved son and brother is gone too soon. Mr. Baker never reached his potential. We should all mourn that loss.

In journalism we always strive to get right. But sometimes we miss, or could have done better. When that happens, we have an obligation to set the record straight.

If you, or someone you know, feels suicidal don’t hesitate, or be ashamed to reach out for help. Call the 24-hour hotline at 800-273-8255.

 

 

 

 

 

Orlando's Lockheed Martin plant may be poisoning Tangelo Park

 

Environmental racism is endangering the health and safety of people who live and work in Orlando’s predominantly black Tangelo Park community.

Lawyers representing people who live and work in Tangelo Park accused the Lockheed Martin company of poisoning the soil and groundwater in Tangelo Park. Lockheed Martin’s main Orlando plant on Sand Lake Road is adjacent to Tangelo Park.

Lockheed Martin, formerly known as Martin Marietta, has been manufacturing aircraft, aerospace and defense products at that sprawling Sand Lake Road plant for decades. Lockheed Martin is one of Orlando’s major employers.

Powerhouse Orlando law firm Morgan & Morgan accused Lockheed of mishandling dangerous toxic chemicals used it its products and those substances have caused a range of severe sicknesses in people living and working in the area.

It’s noteworthy that some people working at NBC’s Golf Channel broadcast network, based in Tangelo Park, have also complained about illnesses that are believed linked to chemicals used by Lockheed.

Throughout the nation millions of black people live in communities that have been polluted with toxic waste and that has resulted in a variety of deaths, cancers and other sicknesses.  Frequently this happens because many black communities lack the political juice to keep companies with dangerous products out of their neighborhood. This is problem, known as environmental racism, has been widely reported in the news media and is the subject of a report you can read by clicking here.

There are two federally designated Super Fund sites downtown in Orlando historically black Parramore community. Super Fund sites are the location of the most toxic and dangerous locations in the country. It usually requires tens of millions of dollars to remove pollutants from those sites.

 

 

Black TV network opening in Orlando

 A global African television studio is weeks away from opening in Orlando.

Afrotainment is putting the finishing touches on its multi-million-dollar studios and production facility in the heart of Orlando’s tourist district next to the Titanic attraction in the 7300 block of International Drive, near Carrier Drive.

Led by Yves Bollanga, a former IBM software engineer and Cameroon native, the network produces and broadcasts films, talk shows and comedies. Mr. Bollanga anticipates the studio will be open for business by the end of this month.

The production complex includes huge studios with stadium seating to accommodate live audiences. It contains the latest technology, including robotic cameras, editing bays for production teams, control rooms and meeting space. The studio is staffed with experienced professional teams.

The Afrotainment TV content can be found on Dish Network, DirectTV, Verizon FiOS, Haiti HD, Xfinity, Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. However, it is difficult to receive this content most cable systems in Orlando, but Mr. Bollanga and his team are in negotiations to make it easier for Orlando residents to enjoy the programming.