Man Handling Public Relations For Ferguson Is A Convicted Killer
Devin Sean James, who is overseeing public relations for Ferguson, Missouri, after the police shooting of Michael Brown, once shot and killed an unarmed man.
[su_center_ad]The 32-year-old began working for the city at a $154.10 per hour rate approximately two weeks after Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson killed the unarmed teenager on Aug. 9th.
James handled the video statement released Thursday in which Ferguson police Chief Thomas Jackson apologized to Brown’s family and protesters in the town.
According to the St. Louis Dispatch, officials in Ferguson were aware of James’ conviction before they signed a contract with him, Mayor James Knowles III said Thursday.
James’ story of coming out of gangs and drugs to found a company has been inspiring and has given city officials an invaluable perspective, Knowles said.
“We haven’t put it out there because he’s not the story,” Knowles said.
According to a spokeswoman for the partnership agency who is paying his bills, she was unaware of his conviction until Thursday.
It was about two hours later that Katie Jamboretz of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, said the agency was severing ties with James.
James was convicted of reckless homicide in Shelby County, Tenn., in 2006. James said he believed the man was trying to rob him in 2004 when he shot him. His 5-year probation ended in March of this year, after serving 90 days detention as well.
Just like Michael Brown isn’t given the benefit of the doubt, neither is Mr. James. At least not in Ferguson. Maybe he’ll catch the irony in that after spending countless hours trying to clean up Ferguson’s image.
Watch courtesy of KMOV:
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Image: KMOV
M D Reese September 26th, 2014 at 2:25 pm
I guess they figure that because he’s black, this will make it all better? It reminds me of Capt. Johnson, the black trooper that they brought in during the protests. They set him up and immediately stabbed him in the back.
juicyfruityyy September 26th, 2014 at 2:29 pm
Does this mean he is fired? He has a record. It was not hard to find the information.
tiredoftea September 26th, 2014 at 2:54 pm
He seems uniquely qualified to do PR for a town with a problem of a similar nature.
tracey marie September 26th, 2014 at 3:17 pm
Instead of paying all that money for a con why not just spend time and money hiring new police officers and leaders for the obviously pugnacious and racist departtment
whatthe46 September 26th, 2014 at 4:16 pm
another token.
searambler September 26th, 2014 at 3:18 pm
“James was convicted of reckless homicide in Shelby County, Tenn., in 2006. James said he believed the man was trying to rob him in 2004 when he shot him. His 5-year probation ended in March of this year, after serving 90 days detention as well.”
Wait…what? He shot a guy in 2004. He was convicted of reckless homicide in 2006. Then he was sentenced to five years probation – in March 2009? He did 90 days “detention” between his 2006 conviction and his 2009 probation sentence? This timeline is all screwed up, or whoever wrote this left out some stuff………
whatthe46 September 26th, 2014 at 4:16 pm
“Just like Michael Brown isn’t given the benefit of the doubt, neither is Mr. James. At least not in Ferguson. Maybe he’ll …” i wonder.