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St. Pete Activists Fault Latest Review Into Dawson Death

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Javon Dawson, 17, was shot and killed by a police officer at a graduation party in June.

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 7, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - As expected, the black activist group, the International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement, is not happy with a second review that found a St. Petersburg police officer was justified in fatally shooting a teenager in June.

The group this morning condemned a report released Monday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that said Officer Terrence Nemeth did nothing wrong when he shot Javon Dawson, 17. The FDLE released the 7-page report after taking a look at an investigation by Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Bernie McCabe, who also said the shooting was justified..

"We're not surprised by the FDLE ruling," said Kobina Bantushango, the political action coordinator for the Justice for Javon Dawson Committee, at a press conference at the Uhuru House in St. Petersburg. "This is nothing more than a good ol' boy coverup,"

As part of its response to the ruling, the Uhurus are reiterating their demand for "reparations" for the shooting, along with reparations for three other black teenagers fatally shot by law enforcement agents since 1996. In all four cases, the city police officers or Pinellas Sheriff's deputies involved were cleared of wrongdoing.

A petition seeking reparations for the quartet is expected to be in circulation soon, Uhuru members said, and they intend to present it to city council.

The Uhurus also want a meeting with Police Chief Chuck Harmon at the Uhuru House on Monday and a citizen review board with subpoena power that can conduct its own investigation into Dawson's death.

They also want Nemeth to undergo a polygraph examination. Nemeth is the only person who saw the shooting, investigators have said, though one witness came forward to say he heard an officer tell someone to drop their weapon after shots sounded that night.

The Uhurus say they plan a march from Sixteenth Street South to city hall on Oct. 24 to commemorate the 12-year anniversary of the shooting death of TyRon Lewis. Lewis was the first of the four black teenagers killed, and his death sparked two nights of rioting in St. Petersburg.

Nemeth fatally shot Dawson as Dawson ran away from him while pointing a weapon at the officer, the FDLE said. Nemeth told investigators he told Dawson at least three times to drop the weapon before the officer fired. The shooting occurred soon after police arrived at a graduation party that had spilled out into the street. About 250 people were present.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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