Demartravion "Trey" Reed, a 21-year-old Black student, was found hanging from a tree at the Delta State University campus last month, sparking massive uproar. An autopsy of Trey Reed by Mississippi's state medical examiner concluded that his death was a suicide, the police department in Cleveland said. While officials had initially said there was no evidence of foul play, the case drew widespread attention, skepticism and calls for transparency.
The case has taken a U-turn as a group has alleged that Trey Reed was lynched and the murder is being covered up plans to rally this weekend at Delta State University, reports Clarion Ledger.
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But now, Trey Reed's family has raised concerns surrounding his death and hired attorneys to help them conduct a private investigation. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump's legal team arranged for the Colin Kaepernick “Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative” to fund an independent autopsy. Dr. Matthias I. Okoye of Nebraska completed his inspection before Reed's funeral on Saturday, Sept. 27.
The results of that autopsy have not yet been released to the public as of Oct. 15. The Crump team told The Clarion Ledger earlier in the month that no details would be made public until the conclusive autopsy is finalized. A new request for comment has not yet been answered.
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A National Day of Justice for Trey Reed demonstration is scheduled for noon on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Delta State University. According to a flyer and news-release-style post shared by Krystal Muhammad, chair of the New Black Panther Party, organizers claim, “They are trying to cover up the lynching,” and are encouraging participants to wear all-black attire.
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“We’re having this demonstration and protest to expose the cover up of the lynching of Trey Reed and all of those who are a part of the cover up to be held accountable legally-civilly and crimnally to the highest degree," Muhammad wrote in a Facebook post. She also lists herself as a family representative.
A website, justice4treyreed.com, includes information about the event and a link to a GoFundMe for Reed's mother, Sophia Reed. The site shows about $25,500 has been raised as of Oct. 15. Funds, according to the page, will be used for a headstone and "support ongoing organizing efforts: protests, awareness campaigns, and community action to make sure his story is never forgotten and that no other family has to endure this pain."
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The case has taken a U-turn as a group has alleged that Trey Reed was lynched and the murder is being covered up plans to rally this weekend at Delta State University, reports Clarion Ledger.
Trey Reed was lynched?
After Trey Reed was found dead at the Delta State University, investigators quickly said his death was a suicide. The Mississippi State Medical Examiner announced autopsy findings for Reed consistent with hanging and no foul play.ALSO READ: Beat diabetes naturally: Four superfoods scientifically proven that can keep your blood sugar in check
But now, Trey Reed's family has raised concerns surrounding his death and hired attorneys to help them conduct a private investigation. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump's legal team arranged for the Colin Kaepernick “Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative” to fund an independent autopsy. Dr. Matthias I. Okoye of Nebraska completed his inspection before Reed's funeral on Saturday, Sept. 27.
The results of that autopsy have not yet been released to the public as of Oct. 15. The Crump team told The Clarion Ledger earlier in the month that no details would be made public until the conclusive autopsy is finalized. A new request for comment has not yet been answered.
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Is Trey Reed's death linked to Cory Zukatis?
Immediately after news of Reed's death became public, rumors spread on social media. Some people wrongly linked it to the death of Cory Zukatis, a second Mississippi man found hanging the same day in Vicksburg. Cory Zukatis was found hanging in a wooded area of Washington Street near the area of the Ameristar Casino. The homeless man's death was also determined to be a suicide. Police don't think the deaths were related.A National Day of Justice for Trey Reed demonstration is scheduled for noon on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Delta State University. According to a flyer and news-release-style post shared by Krystal Muhammad, chair of the New Black Panther Party, organizers claim, “They are trying to cover up the lynching,” and are encouraging participants to wear all-black attire.
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“We’re having this demonstration and protest to expose the cover up of the lynching of Trey Reed and all of those who are a part of the cover up to be held accountable legally-civilly and crimnally to the highest degree," Muhammad wrote in a Facebook post. She also lists herself as a family representative.
A website, justice4treyreed.com, includes information about the event and a link to a GoFundMe for Reed's mother, Sophia Reed. The site shows about $25,500 has been raised as of Oct. 15. Funds, according to the page, will be used for a headstone and "support ongoing organizing efforts: protests, awareness campaigns, and community action to make sure his story is never forgotten and that no other family has to endure this pain."
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