EJ Bradford Family Attorney 'Deeply Disturbed' By AG Taking Case

HOOVER, AL - After the announcement last week by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall that his office would take over the investigation into the shooting death of Emantic "EJ" Bradford, the attorney for Bradford's family issued a statement expressing dismay over Marshall's decision. Ben Crump, a well-known civil rights attorney representing thre Bradford family, said he was not pleased with the investigation being taken away from the Jefferson County District Attorney's office.

"It is deeply disturbing to the Bradford family that Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall would unilaterally and unnecessarily take the Bradford case away from Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr — the first black person to hold that position," Crump said. "This action could undermine any trust the black community has in this process."

Related Story: Attorney General To Take Over EJ Bradford Case

The case has been handed from the Hoover Police Department to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, then to the State Bureau of Investigation - after authorities determined a potential key witness in the mall incident is a cousin of the wife of Jefferson County Sheriff-elect Mark Pettway.

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"The election of black public servants, like Danny Carr, is a clear statement by Alabama voters that they intend to correct the darkest patterns of injustice that are woven throughout Alabama’s history and ensure that all citizens are fairly represented, regardless of the color of their skin," Crump said. "This action subverts the will of the voters and detours the necessary march toward justice. Attorney General Marshall has the ability to monitor the case closely and intervene if necessary and appropriate. We urge him to allow D.A. Carr to do his job, as the voters intended and not subvert the will of the voters. If not D.A. Carr, then the Bradford family strongly urges A.G. Marshall to appoint Lynneice Washington of the Bessemer Cutoff Division of Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. Washington was the first black woman elected district attorney in Alabama, and she is a strong alternative candidate for taking over this case."

Crump also echoed the sentiments of hundreds of protesters who have organized demonstrations throughout Hoover the last three weeks in insisting that law enforcement release video footage of the Thanksgiving night shooting to the public.

"Further, we are convinced that the straightest path toward justice would be to release all video footage so that everyone can see for themselves what happened in Riverchase Galleria mall," Crump said. "Why did one officer shoot EJ while he was running away, and the other officer did not? The video may provide important information that we all need to arrive at the truth. EJ’s death was a senseless tragedy, and we stand with the community in demanding that those in power be held accountable for their actions. We will not rest until justice has been served.”

Protesters have convened throughout the city nightly to demand justice and to demand that the video footage be released, although scheduled protests to take place at some Hoover schools have been thwarted by police at the request of the schools. Video footage of the shooting has, however, been viewed by Bradford's attorneys.

Bradford and his friend Brian Wilson were involved in an altercation at the Riverchase Galleria Thanksgiving night, and the altercation led to shots being fired. When a Hoover police officer arrived at the scene, he reportedly shot Bradford, who was holding a gun. Initial reports said Bradford was the shooter, but that was determined through the investigation to be false.

The suspect in the shooting, 20-year-old Erron Brown, was captured in Georgia by U.S. Marshals. Charles Salvagio, who is representing Brown, filed a routine discovery motion along with a special request for all video evidence. Salvagio maintains that Brown is innocent.

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