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Slain man's kin arrested in fracas at park

The family of Jarrell Walker say it's an attempt to keep them quiet over his shooting death.

By LAUREN BAYNE ANDERSON
Published May 13, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - Two relatives of Jarrell S. Walker, who was killed by a sheriff's deputy last month, were arrested Wednesday and accused of being part of the group that incited spurts of violence Sunday night in Childs Park.

Walker's brother, Orin Montrell Walker, 23, and cousin, Dorian Tremayne Williams, 30, were arrested at 4 p.m. Wednesday outside Williams' home and charged with inciting a riot, a third-degree felony. Both posted bail Thursday.

St. Petersburg police spokesman Bill Proffitt said Walker and Williams incited the crowd to violence and obstructed officers from arresting a brick-throwing suspect.

"Neither one was the individual who threw the first brick," Proffitt said. But as police began chasing the suspect who did, Walker and Williams "tried to form a blockage and began inciting the crowd to physically harm the officers."

But Walker's mother and members of the International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement say the arrests are an attempt to silence the family, which has been speaking out against Walker's death.

Spurts of violence began Sunday night as a crowd that had gathered in Childs Park to listen to music was dispersed.

As one police sergeant drove away, a brick crashed through his back window. Bricks, rocks and bottles were thrown at police, who responded with pepper spray.

Five people were arrested and eight police cruisers were damaged at the park at 4301 18th Ave. S.

Proffitt said police still have not identified the brick thrower. He said Walker, of 3143 16th Ave. S, and Williams, of 3526 First Ave. S, weren't arrested at the park because the crowd was too large, and police had been looking for them since.

Walker and Williams arrived at Childs Park about 7:15 p.m. Sunday, with Uhuru members, passed out fliers and spoke about Jarrell's death.

Walker and Williams could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Walker's mother, Wanda Walker, said the arrests are an attempt to silence her family, which has been vocal about Jarrell Walker's death, marching with Uhuru members and demanding Christopher Taylor, the deputy who shot Walker during a drug raid, be prosecuted. Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Bernie McCabe cleared Taylor of any wrongdoing, noting that Walker refused to obey Taylor's repeated commands to remain still and show his hands.

"This is just a way for the city to keep us from voicing our opinion," Wanda Walker said. "We're not out to start a riot. We want the truth and they refuse to give it to us."

She said police have been following family members and Monday were parked outside Williams' home in an unmarked car.

She said Orin Walker saw a suspicious-looking truck and peered through its window to find officers inside. He walked away, but a group of other officers pulled up and began questioning him.

"Fifteen other police officers swarmed him," she said. "The officer shoved him two times on the shoulder."

Proffitt confirmed police were at the Walkers' home Monday evening but had no further information.

"If we're looking for someone, it's reasonable for us to do surveillance at locations where we think someone might be," he said.

Wanda Walker said she is frustrated with what her family has been through.

"I feel so beat down, I feel defeated," she said. "But we're still going to keep voicing our opinions, we're still going to keep complaining."

Times staff writer Jacob Fries contributed to this report.

[Last modified May 13, 2005, 00:56:15]