Aide for Justice, & Biopic project
I've been encouraged by friends and family to create this. This is not easy for me but it's truely time to ask for assistance. I have been writing James's story and now hav connected with a professional writer John Sleby who has expressed the subject of 'police brutality affects millions'. He wants to support me in ghost writting, publishing and media launch through Amazon/ Kindle and submitting to his New York publishing houses. Then screen play and support in the writing process of movie bids. This is a huge opportunity and I would like to take full advantage of. Before my memories fade I must be prudent in getting this completed. For those of you who dont know my story of James read on.
After helping the love of my life James Dudley Barker recover from a serious brain injury which affected his auditory memory greatly. I recovered his home from forclosure, paid medical bills & created joy taking him on vacations, while including him in my family. Over a four year period James was reaching mile stones regaining his memory, when on January 8th 2015 he was brutally murdered by an SLC PD officer while shoveling ice on walk ways in our neighborhood. A new neighbor on our street called 911 after James knocked inquiring if they needed shoveling anytime in the future~ simply on the notion that he looked suspicious. (the 911 call is available on the Tribune website.)
James was confronted, cornered, and harrassed, then assuaulted by an aggressive police officer who pushed him then shot him 3x's point blank. We are sure James had become louder because he was scared, and was trying to draw attention to himself from the many witness's on the street when he realized he was in danger.
There was no crime committed by James. And a witness stated the officer kicked James's dead body after it was all over. The media & public were blinded as the police quickly portrayed James as the aggessor, stating the officer having "broken bones". The officer pardoned on the grounds "He feared for his life" & shooting James was "justified".
*important to note The DA publically admitted a year later in the Tribune the officer only had a "bumped elbow from the fall" and James was no longer accused of breaking the offers arm anymore with the plastic snow shovel, this has been fully retracted by the police.
Our entire community, close friends, and family have been in shock & traumatized. We all know James greatly disliked violence, and for years has been a advocate for PEACE. James brought light hearted love to his community through his singing, music, his smile, selfless deeds, his soft spoken voice, and the amazing adventure filled life he led. While he also 'walked his talk' of leading a life with a smaller footprint keeping the benefit of the environment formost in his mind.
If you knew James or understand the the need for change together lets make a big push for Justice & let's hold his story as a banner to end authoritative violence that is infecting our Nation. James Barker's amazingly colorful life and tale of recovery from a mental disability will be a joy to everyone that will listen.
James's spirit thanks you, it is his great will to get his story out into the world to be heard! Lets honor him in efforts to bring into the light the dire need of improving relations with those who are hired and trained to guard our communites.
To listen to James's music I've created a Sound Cloud page under his full name 'James Dudley Barker'. I encourage everyone to listen, especially the last 3 on the list . As you listen to his beautiful voice, It truely speaks how peaceful a soul he was.
Peace