Happy Thanksgiving
Meet this week’s Personality B1
Richmond Free Press © 2022 Paradigm Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
VOL. 31 NO. 48
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
www.richmondfreepress.com
Climate of fear
ee Fr
Fr ee
A6, B2
NOVEMBER 23-26, 2022
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Richmond Justice Center
Trammell seeks City Jail investigation amid reports of deaths, injuries By Jeremy M. Lazarus
As Crishawn Hickman headed to his long-delayed murder trial in the John Marshall Courts Building, deputies escorting him noticed, as one put it, that he appeared to be “walking funny,” the Free Press has been told. A search disclosed why—the 21-year-old had a knife hidden in his underpants that had cut him. The upshot: The trial had to be postponed for two days while he received medical treatment at a nearby hospital. The Oct. 25 incident involving Mr. Hickman, who was ultimately convicted in the killing of a 15-year-old in Church Hill in April 2020, exemplifies what appears to be increasing danger
for deputies and inmates at the short-staffed Richmond Justice Center. Tweets and messages from inside the jail about deaths and injuries have led 8th District Councilwoman Reva M. Trammell to call for an investigation of the jail and Sheriff Antionette V. Irving’s management – although Ms. Trammell has had little success so far in her appeals. Ms. Trammell “Yes, there needs to be an investigation,” said Ms. Trammell, chair of the council’s Public Safety Committee. “I am being told that our deputies and the inmates are scared to death. How many more people got to die or suffer in
that jail before someone says, ‘Enough is enough.’” Sheriff Irving and her staff did not respond to a request for comment from the Free Press, which has been issuing periodic reports about the jail’s problems since July. The central problem is a staffing shortage that appears to have grown in recent months. In 2021-2022 city budget, the sheriff was authorized 466 positions, but that was cut to 370 positions in the 2022-23 budget to reflect 96 unfilled positions. Based on reports, the total number of staff has fallen well below 370 as staff departures exceed new hires, the Free Press Please turn to A4
Hospital donates $30K to Friends of the Homeless 36-year-old food distribution program among city’s largest
By Jeremy M. Lazarus
Associated Press file photo
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., talks with reporters Thursday on Capitol Hill in Washington. The day after Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she would step aside, Rep. Jeffries announced his own history-making bid Friday to become the first Black American to helm a major U.S. political party in Congress as leader of the House Democrats.
Jeffries makes historic bid to lead House Dems after Pelosi By Michelle L. Price and Lisa Mascaro The Associated Press
“once-in-a-generation opportunity” to unleash their “full potential as a team.” And he pledged to draw on the diverse Democratic caucus as it NEW YORK works to govern in a divided Congress A day after Speaker Nancy Peloand win back the majority after House si announced she would step aside, Republicans narrowly seized control Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York in the midterm elections. launched a history-making bid Fri“The House Democratic Caucus is day to become the first Black person the most authentic representation of to helm a major political party in the gorgeous mosaic of the American Congress as leader of the House people,” Rep. Jeffries wrote. Democrats. “I write to humbly ask for your Rep. Pelosi In a letter to colleagues, Jeffries support for the position of House gave a nod to the “legendary figures” before Democratic Leader as we once again prepare him: Speaker Pelosi, the first female speaker in to meet the moment.” U.S. history, and her leadership team. He encourPlease turn to A4 aged his fellow House members to embrace a
Shawnee Hansen knew she had to do something after watching a boy happily eating the meat off a turkey carcass two men had pulled from a trash can to feed him. “I couldn’t bear it,” said Ms. Hansen. She launched a hunger relief campaign. She began organizing at her church and rallying other churches to get involved in a crusade to end hunger. Working under the radar, she found locations in the city and began setting up weekly food distribution programs with help from other volunteers. That was 1986. Today, the Richmond Friends of the Homeless (RFH) that Ms. Hansen created and still leads as president 36 years later quietly ranks among the largest food distribution programs in the city, with support from more than 100 churches that provide sandwiches, canned goods, blankets and other items to those in need through the program. RFH, which raises more than $1.5 million in gifts and donated items annually, has two locations operating from 12 to 2
Virginia honors slain players in memorial service on campus By Hank Kurz Jr. The Associated Press
CHARLOTTESVILLE Thousands of people joined Virginia’s football team, coaches and staff Saturday in honoring three players who were shot dead as they returned from a field trip last weekend. Lavel Davis Jr., D’Sean Perry and Devin Chandler were remembered during a memorial service in Charlottesville as great teammates who wore constant smiles and sought to brighten the lives of those around them, from fellow players to other students and fans. “Only time will reveal God’s purpose in this adPlease turn to A4
p.m. each of the five weekdays. With help from volunteers, Ms. Hansen supervises the distribution at Broomfield Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 609 Richmond Highway in South Side. Meanwhile, her daughter, Camille Hansen, who grew up with the program, has worked with a team of volunteers since
Ms. Hansen
2001 to conduct daily distributions out of Greater Mount Moriah Baptist Church, 913 N. 1st St. in Gilpin Court. Retired truck driver Scott Hayes, who lives in an apartment near Greater Mount Moriah, is among those thankful for the RFH program. “It really helps Please turn to A4
Regina H. Boone/ Richmond Free Press
Turkey time Henry L. Marsh III Elementary School first-grader Angelitha Suarez, 6, proudly displays her Fun Day art project on Tuesday, two days before Thanksgiving. Her turkey’s bright colors represent fall, she says.
Supreme Court OKs handover of Trump tax returns to Congress The Associated Press
WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for the imminent handover of former President Trump’s tax returns to a congressional committee after a three-year legal fight. The court, with no noted dissents, rejected Trump’s plea for an order that would have Please turn to A4
Mr. Trump
Free COVID-19 testing, vaccines Steve Helber/Associated Press
UVA President James E. Ryan speaks Nov. 19 during a memorial service for three slain University of Virginia football players — Lavel Davis Jr., D’Sean Perry and Devin Chandler — at John Paul Jones Arena at the school in Charlottesville. Gospel singer CeCe Winans, left, sings during the memorial service.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues. The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following location: • Wednesday, Nov. 30, 8 to 10 a.m. - Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 N. Laburnum Ave.
Please turn to A4