PUBLISHER'S NOTE: News that KSLA anchor Domonique Benn has been working on special assignment
involving this important death penalty case is significant, as Benn is one of America's leading journalists. A bio published on the KSLA site indicates that:
"Domonique has
worked in newsrooms in Mississippi, Georgia, and Virginia. The
University of Florida graduate has a Bachelor of Science degree in
Telecommunications-News and a minor in English with a concentration in
African American Literature. Since coming to KSLA News 12 in November
2010, Domonique has worked on several investigative reports. Her report
on "Protective Orders" shined the light on domestic violence and an
alarming number of murder suicides in Shreveport/Bossier. The report
also caught the eyes of state lawmakers who are brainstorming ways to
make laws tougher for those who violate protective orders. Another one
of her special assignments included a challenge to 12 viewers to get
healthier. She created the Knock It Off Challenge and brought in
nutrition specialists and fitness experts to help the group lose
weight. At the end of the 12 week journey, the group had lost more than
260 pounds. In April 2009, the Virginia Associated Press named
Domonique "Best Anchor of the Year". A recipient of two prestigious
Edward R. Murrow Awards, Domonique was recognized for her investigative
report, "Bad Medicine" and recognized for team coverage on a deadly
train wreck and chlorine spill. In January 2008, Domonique's hard work
earned her national recognition when she was featured in Ebony magazine as one of the 30 talented young adults on the rise. Domonique
started her career in Biloxi, Mississippi as a producer before quickly
being promoted to reporter. She moved to Augusta, Georgia as reporter
and was later promoted to anchoring the top-rated First at Five
newscast. While in Augusta Domonique's assignments included reporting
from both state capitols in Georgia and South Carolina to report on some
of the most controversial legislation. Every year she looked forward
to reporting on the annual Masters Golf Tournament where she reported on
the best golfers in the world and the coveted title that thousands come
to see the golfers compete to take home. During her career,
Domonique has interviewed civil rights leaders Jesse Jackson, Al
Sharpton, entertainer James Brown, and the tallest man in America.
Domonique was the only local reporter to sit exclusively one-on-one
with the entertainer days after he announced he had prostate cancer and
she was the only journalist out of local and international media invited
to ride with James Brown in his limo to his statue unveiling in
Augusta. Domonique looks forward to telling stories and getting to
know people in the area. She enjoys volunteering and speaking at area
churches, schools, and civic organizations. She is a member of the Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the National Association of Black
Journalists. She also serves on the National Academy of Television Arts
and Sciences Mid-American Emmy Board of Governors. Domonique and her
family live in Bossier City. She is very active in the Ark-LaTex and
serves on the March of Dimes Board for the Northwest Region. She
continues to share her life's philosophy, "I am the master of my fate, I
am the captain of my soul." Benn is the ideal journalist to dig into the story of how a grieving father ended up on death row in Louisiana after his one-year- old son died of sepsis caused by an underlying pneumonia - and the efforts a notorious prosecutor named Dale Cox took to ensure that Rodricus, the second youngest man ever placed on Louisiana's death row, would meet the executioner. I will provide details for accessing TV and Internet access for her upcoming report as soon as they are available.
Hrold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog;
"KSLA Anchor Domonique Benn has been working on special assignment
involving this case. In the appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court,
defense attorneys say prosecutors struck potential jurors off the case
based on race. The Louisiana Supreme Court Justices agreed. A month
ago, Crawford’s attorney Cecelia Kappel say told Domonique, "He is given
a presumption that he is a criminal element based on his race and
socioeconomic status. I think the result would have been very different
if he were white. I think the result would have been very different if
he was middle class African American. In this case he was presumed to
be a criminal." Kappel adds the prosecuting attorney used stereotypes
as a reason for imposing the death penalty. Crawford admitted he smoked
marijuana frequently, was unemployed, and lived with his mother. Rodricus Crawford was convicted and
sentenced to death in November 2013, but now the Louisiana Supreme Court issued an opinion Tuesday overturning the conviction. The
court was unanimous in coming to the conclusion that there was an error
in this case. However, the justices have varying opinions on what the
error was and how to correct it. Abbie Crawford, Rodricus
Crawford's mother spoke with KSLA News 12's Domonique Benn and told her,
". Ain’t know way in the world he would do anything to harm that baby
because he loved his baby.""
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/33728382/shreveport-man-on-death-row-for-murder-of-1-year-old-son-gets-new-trial