IMC - Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition

Rev. Lincoln Bingham Press Statement - James Taylor Shooting

Moderator of General Association of Baptist in Kentucky

Statement for Press

Saturday, December 7, 2002

Held at Greater St Mark Baptist Church 1426 Bland St.
Attendees: Pastor Rev. William Nelson, Rev. Lincoln N.Bingham, Dr. Alex Moses, Rev. Bernard Crayton, Rev. Thurmond Coleman, Rev. Clarence Young, Rev. Kathy Ogletree-Goodwin, Rev.Goeffrey Ellis, Rev. Terry Watkins, Rev Clay Calloway.
Endorsed by Dr T. Vaughn Walker, Dr.A. Russell Awkard, Dr.Walter Malone Jr., Elder Fred Johnson, Bishop Dennis Lyons, Dr. Kevin Cosby.


Remarks of Rev. Lincoln N. Bingham, Pastor St. Paul Baptist Church Louisville, Ky.


The relative serenity of Smoketown was shattered with reports of the horrific shooting of an African American male by a police detective of the Louisville Police Department on the evening of Thursday, December 5. This incident is cause for great concern, and subject of complaint, particularly in light of the fact that the man had been handcuffed prior to being shot. It has been reported that 12 shots were fired. The matter is not only presently under investigation by the Louisville Division of Police, but the events leading up to the shooting will no doubt be reviewed by the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, and the possibility of a coroner’s inquest and/ or referral to the grand jury.

We know that the family of the man who was killed cries out for justice, and it is our prayer that the legal process will provide the avenue for redress. While it is hard to believe that the fatal shooting of a man while he is handcuffed constitutes a justifiable
“shoot”, we encourage this community to allow the investigation to move forward and allow the legal process to have their full effect for the purpose of achieving correction and closure.

Furthermore, We encourage concerned citizens to insist that this incident and the concomitant use of deadly force be not only designated as a high priority for review on the agenda of the Mayor-elect for Metro Government and the new Police Chief, but also that priority emphasis be placed on what appears to be a continuing disregard of the value of life of the African American male by local law enforcement.

When a Man is killed, while handcuffed, we have to ask: Is it open season on the African- American male in Louisville-Jefferson County? We must insist that Mayor- elect and the new police chief not only reaffirm a zero tolerance policy against the unauthorized, excessive use of deadly force, but also that proactive steps be taken and strategies be developed and implemented to ensure that it will not happen again.

Our prayers are with the family of James Taylor, and yes, the officers and their families, and this community as they all move forward to address this deeply troubling incident.