Justice for Aiyana?

Aiyana Jones

Family photo via the Detroit News

My post entitled, “Who’s turning their porch lights on for Aiyana Jones?,” on Wednesday, July 6, is one of the most read and commented-on posts on “What’s the Diehl?” I’m not sure why.

Maybe it’s because a few friends in Detroit shared the link on their Facebook walls. Maybe it’s because people were infuriated that this little seven-year-old from Detroit’s east side was killed on May 15 of last year by someone who’s supposed to protect her, not shoot her in the neck while she’s asleep on a couch. Maybe it’s because no one got in trouble for Aiyana’s death, proving once again that we don’t value little black girls as much as little white girls in this country.

Maybe it’s because pictures of the pretty little girl with the big dimple, braided hair and beautiful eyes should be on television as much as Caylee Anthony’s and Natalee Holloway’s and Jaycee Lee Dugard’s and Elizabeth Smart’s and all the other white victims of crime. Because it was indeed a crime that Aiyana was killed by someone with a badge and too much testosterone who was being filmed raiding Aiyana’s home for the reality crime show, “The First 48.” And the crime was compounded by the fact that no one was arrested or charged in her murder. Until now.

Just yesterday – almost seventeen months after Aiyana’s slaying – the Wayne County prosecutor announced that Officer Joseph Weekley, 35, a member of the Detroit Police Special Response Team, was indicted on an involuntary manslaughter charge following an independent investigation by the Michigan State Police. If convicted, Officer Weekley faces up to 15 years in prison.

The Detroit Police Department claimed that Officer Weekley’s gun accidentally discharged after he was bumped by Aiyana’s grandma. Way to blame an old woman for your mistake, tough guys. Aiyana's family is suing the city and the Detroit Police Department. I hope they collect millions.

I try to respect the police. It’s a hard job and I’m sure Officer Weekley didn’t intend to shoot a little girl (although he was already in hot water for allegedly shooting two dogs and pointing a gun at children during a 2007 raid of a different Detroit house). It’s also true that that we’re too litigious in this country. But someone has to pay for Aiyana’s death. The message needs to be sent that little girls are valued in this state and nation regardless of skin color or family wherewithal.

Looks like there might be justice after all, Aiyana.