Police Officer A. J. Blake and Latin King Leader Jorge Cornell Hold Joint Press Conference:Officer AJ Blake Press Statement

by the Beloved Community Center

Aug. 13, 2009

Officer Blake shared detailed information about the improper and possibly illegal involvement of City Council Member Mike Barber in trying to persuade him to withdraw from the lawsuit of 39 officers of color against the City of Greensboro as a condition to get the charges of assault against him dropped.  Although suspended without pay and eventually terminated by Police Chief Tim Bellamy, a jury acquitted Officer Blake of all charges in late July.   Officer Blake stated that others are knowledgeable about this effort by Councilman Barber, including the District Attorney. Officer Blake explained that he could not share this information previously on the advice of his attorney.  He also discussed how certain Greensboro Police officers perjured themselves in court, as well as the possible existence of a tape recording of these officers discussing how to get him fired.  

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