Family of Jay Anderson still seeks justice four months later
October 23th marked the four month anniversary of the Jay Anderson Jr. homicide. Family and supporters gathered in Madison Park in Wauwatosa on October 23th.
( Balloon release on Oct. 23 to mark the 4 month anniversary. Image Source - Fox 6 )
For those unfamiliar with the case let's start at the beginning.
On June 23rd, Jay Anderson had fallen asleep in his car near Madison Park in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, a suburb just outside of Milwaukee. Anderson's car was flagged as "suspicious." Officers with the Wauwatosa Police department had driven pass Anderson's vehicle in the early morning, saw Anderson alone in the vehicle, and determined the need to investigate further.
According to Wauwatosa Police they spotted a gun in Anderson's possession. The officer "feared for his safety," then shot and hit Anderson.
( Jay Anderson Jr. )
Fox 6 reported on 7/22 that:
On Thursday, July 21st, Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm and Chief Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern met with members of the family of Anderson.
They shared with the family all the evidence collected by the Milwaukee Police Department, including recordings of officer dispatches before and after the critical incident, video of the incident itself, and reports by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner and the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory.
The District Attorney’s Office has determined that the release of any audio and video recording related to this incident would not hamper its continued review of this incident. Therefore, the City of Wauwatosa has the authority to consider the release of this evidence to the public.
( Image of the crime scene at Madison Park. Image Source - Fox 6 )
Wauwatosa police have yet to release the body camera footage. In an article Fox 6 ran on 9/22, it was stated that Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber "made the call" to not release evidence in "bits and pieces." It was also reported that Anderson's father had seen the footage.
"(My son) has his hands up, trying to say he had something in the car, a gun in the car, and the third time he moved it I guess he moved too close to the gun or I believe he was going for his phone," said Anderson Sr.
On September 22th the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office told Fox 6 that "They're waiting for the FBI to see if it can enhance the clarity of the 20-second body."
It came out on October 18th that the officer that killed Jay Anderson Jr., had also killed someone else 11 months previous for the Anderson homicide. Jonathan Safran, the Anderson family attorney, stated that this officer had killed a 29 year old man in July 2015, who was allegedly brandishing a sword at officers.
"I'm a little concerned that an officer would go back on the job relatively quickly and be in a one-man squad and now get involved with another individual," said Safran.
11 months later, Anderson was killed. Now, newly enhanced dash cam footage from that incident is shown to his family.
"Some of it, again, is very difficult to see because of the distance from the squad car dash cam," said Safran.
Now that brings us back to now.
Police have yet to release the body camera footage. The family has seen the footage, but it is unknown when it will be available to the public. The family has been persistent in the fight for justice. From the protests at Mayfair Mall, to the monthly gatherings and the hashtag campaign #justice4jay.
We need to support the Anderson family in their pursuit for justice. Jay Anderson Jr., was a son, father and fiance. We must not forget his name and the plight of his family.
(Article by Jaimes Campbell)