NAACP seeks federal review of Conn. teen's shooting

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- The NAACP's Connecticut branch wants a federal review of the case in which an all-white jury exonerated a white Hartford detective who fatally shot an unarmed black teenager...

TheGrio Staff

Dec 14, 2009

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The NAACP’s Connecticut branch wants a federal review of the case in which an all-white jury exonerated a white Hartford detective who fatally shot an unarmed black teenager.

Jashon Bryant’s family and the NAACP Connecticut State Conference sent their request Monday to U.S. Attorney Eric Holder.

Bryant was 18 when he was killed by Hartford police Detective Robert Lawlor in May 2005. Lawlor said he believed Bryant had a gun, and that he opened fire when Bryant’s friend drove his car toward an FBI agent with whom Lawlor was working.

Lawlor was acquitted of manslaughter and assault charges last week.

Bryant’s family and NAACP officials plan a press conference Tuesday in front of the federal building at 450 Main St. in Hartford.