By Stephanie A. Gadlin
ATLANTA (API wire)–Margaret Burks does not believe her son was so despondent over an arrest for a minor traffic violation that he committed suicide inside the Clayton County Jail.
Ms. Burks said that she believed she was teaching her 19-year-old son, Northur, a lesson by making him wait for an extended period of time before she posted his bail–she told him as much in a phone call. However, she had no idea the next call she would receive would change her life forever: her eldest son was dead resulting from asphyxiation.
“Northur did not kill himself,” Ms. Burks said. “He was murdered. Inmates who were there at the time have told NAACP (leader Rev. Josh Wheeler) and us that my son had been in an altercation with a White officer.
“I can’t receive collect calls so Northur called a friend and told him that someone was messing with him and he needed me to get there and get him out,” the mother continued. “I was upset because I had just told him not to drive that car until he had gotten all of his paperwork in order. By leaving him (in jail), I thought I was being a good parent and teaching him a lesson. God knows I wish I had gotten my boy. He would be alive today.”
The teen was arrested in Atlanta on Oct. 21 for not wearing a seat belt and lacking proof of insurance. After three days in a cell, Ms. Burks posted her son’s bail; satisfied he had learned an important lesson about responsibility. However, she was told Northur would first be transferred to a nearby Jonesboro on an outstanding warrant for failing to pay a ticket.
After arriving at the jail at four o’clock in the morning of Oct. 24, Ms. Burks said her son was upbeat and looking forward to coming home. Less than 48 hours later, he was dead. Authorities told the boy’s mother that Northur, who stood five feet, nine inches tall, hung himself with a sheet, using a toothbrush to secure it in place.
Clayton County Sheriff Stanley Tuggle was not available for comment. Chief Deputy Shelby Foles refused to go on record about the case. Though he remained mum when pressed about the case, he initially said, “The local media has covered this case and basically they are getting tired of the mother calling them about this.”
Despite an autopsy report that provided no evidence of foul play, the single mother of two other boys is not deterred. Shortly after Northur’s funeral, she sought the help of local civil rights activists and a group of ministers to help her plead her cause. Since the death, about 150 protestors have posted weekly pickets at the jail.
Gerald Rose, founder of New Order, a human rights organization based in Smyrna, said his organization would not rest until justice is served. He said the local FBI had received information from an informant indicating the teen had allegedly been in an altercation with a deputy.
FBI spokesperson Jeff Holmes would not confirm or deny the agency was investigating the Burks case. However, sources familiar with the case said a federal agent had been assigned to the case.
In the meantime, activists say they are gearing up for a long, hard fight. In addition to the demonstrations, Mr. Rose said supporters are establishing a defense fund to help the family obtain legal counsel.
Mr. Rose said. “The family doesn’t want just a civil suit, they want criminal charges filed. This isn’t the ’50s where they could get away with it. Northur and other Black men like him are being lynched and we must rally against it.”
Ms. Burks has vowed to turn her pain into power. Northur’s brothers have had a difficult time handling their eldest brother’s death, she said.
“Northur was a happy kid who was just happy to be driving his first car,” a tearful Ms. Burks said. “From the bottom of my heart, I know my son did not hang himself. He was murdered.”