Civil Rights Commission to Investigate Florida Hanging

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights said Wednesday it will look into the hanging of a black man because of lingering suspicions in his poor, rural town that he was lynched.

A judge ruled at an inquest Tuesday that Feraris “Ray” Golden, 32, committed suicide. Among the evidence: The bedsheet used as a noose came from his home; he had no injuries that would indicate a struggle; he was drunk and also had cocaine in his system; and he was probably depressed, telling his grandmother: “Nobody loves me. I’m going to kill myself.”

But Bobby Doctor, director of the commission’s Southern regional office, said he will interview family members and investigators about persistent rumors that Golden’s hands were tied behind his back.

The commission, which investigates allegations of discrimination in the justice system, will conduct a preliminary investigation before deciding whether to dispatch an investigative team. It could refer its findings to the U.S. Justice Department for a possible criminal investigation.

“When you get this kind of allegation, that the young man’s hands were tied behind his back, you have to take it seriously,” Doctor said.

Golden was found hanging outside his grandmother’s house on May 28. Some relatives initially said it was impossible he had committed suicide, saying Golden was found with his hands tied behind his back.

But police videotape shown at the inquest showed the body dangling from a noose, Golden’s arms swaying at his sides.

Sevell Brown, the Florida president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, called for the civil rights commission’s intervention after the judge’s ruling Tuesday.

The rare public inquest failed to quell suspicions among some blacks in the rural, largely segregated town of Belle Glade, where about half of the 15,000 residents are black and many are poor.

Brown said some witnesses did not come forward because they were uncomfortable calling attention to Golden’s alleged relationship with a white policeman’s daughter.