More holiday gift ideas from our entertainment center PAGE 33
Family Portrait: Morgan Levine
Former area resident leaves big legacy for HIV/AIDS groups
PAGE 35
PAGE 8
Dec. 14-20, 2012
����������
��� ������������ �������� �����������������������������������������
Vol. 36 No. 50
Ten years later, Morris family still grieving By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Ten years after the death of Nizah Morris, her family’s sense of outrage remains unabated. “The outrage is just the same,” said Roslyn Wilkins, her mother. “Here we are, 10 years later, a grieving family [that’s] still bewildered by the crazy story we’re getting [from officials].” The latest twist in the seemingly unending saga is a recent claim by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office that it doesn’t have any 911 recordings in its Morris investigative file. The Morris family has compact discs containing more than 100 911 transmissions related to Morris’ homicide. The family said it now hopes a criminaljustice agency that’s serious about the case will have a listen.
Morris was a 47-year-old transgender woman found lying in the street with a fatal head wound shortly after she received a courtesy ride from Philadelphia police. The incident took place during the predawn hours of Dec. 22, 2002. She died two days later from complications of a fractured skull, and the case has never been solved. Police say they thought Morris lived at 15th and Walnut, and agreed to transport her there from the old Key West bar near 13th and Walnut — where Morris had been staggering out front, very intoxicated. “I’m still waiting to hear where exactly they thought Nizah lived,” Wilkins mused. “Nizah lived in West Philadelphia. Nobody lives at 15th and Walnut. We’re not buying any of it.” Police say they have no clue as to the identity of Morris’ killer or killers. But family members contend the police
need look no further than within their own ranks for the culprits. The family has long believed that police used excessive force when handling Morris, then dropped her off at 16th and Walnut, instead of transporting her immediately to a hospital. “An animal would have been treated better,” said Morris’ sister, Andrea Brunson. “We’re not saying the police set out to hurt Nizah. But something went terribly wrong.” Morris sustained a life-threatening subdural hematoma and needed emergency medical treatment if there was to be any chance of survival, Brunson said. Instead, she was left at the scene for about 40 minutes before finally being transported to Jefferson University Hospital at 4:13 a.m. Dec. 22, 2002. “[Police] closed her small window of opportunity to survive,” Brunson added.
Supreme Court to take on DOMA, Prop. 8
Out lawyer announces race for city controller
By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Next year is set to be a momentous one for marriage equality, as the U.S. Supreme Court will rule on the validity of federal and state bans on same-sex marriage. In a long-awaited decision Dec. 7, the nation’s top court PAGE 20
By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com
FBI: Hate crimes down in PA By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com New data out this week from the Federal Bureau of Investigation found that Pennsylvania saw fewer hate crimes in 2011, including those motivated by the victims’ sexual orientation. The FBI’s annual Hate Crimes Statistics report was released Monday and found an overall 6-percent decline in hate crimes PAGE 19 nationally from 2010-11,
“In my opinion, that’s murder.” Brunson’s formed that opinion after she heard the unsettling PAGE 6
FROM CUPCAKES TO COATS: Mazzoni Center staged its third annual Beer & Cupcakes event Dec. 7 at The Bike Stop. Mazzoni staff Heather Doughty (from left), Kate Redmond and Kira Manser displayed the array of baked goods that staff members made for the event. Proceeds helped the agency purchase coats and winter wear for clientele and their children, as well as for homeless LGBT youth in Philadelphia. The night netted $2,400 and enabled the agency to buy more than 200 coats and 150 toys. AIDS Fund will also contribute an additional 150 toys to the cause. “We were thrilled at the turnout, and the tremendous show of support from the community for this year’s event,” said Mazzoni casemanager coordinator Ryan Goldner (right), the primary organizer of the event. “We’re especially grateful to our friends at The Bike Stop for hosting us again.” Photo: Scott A. Drake
An openly gay lawyer will run for the office of Philadelphia city controller next year. Michael Williams announced Dec. 5 at the Reading Terminal Market that he plans to run for the Democratic nomination for the city’s top financial post in the May 21 primaries. Williams, 53, earned his undergraduate degree at Temple University and his law degree at the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently chairman for the Forensic Auditing group at firm Picciotti & Schoenberg and previously worked for the City of Philadelphia’s law department as senior attorney for the Health and Human Services Unit. He is also a board member of Mission PAGE 23 Kids, Temple’s Ambler