Hanging Was Likely Suicide, Family Says

[Freddie Stubbs]

BELLE GLADE, Fla. - Relatives of a black man whose hanging divided this rural community learned at an inquest Monday that the noose was probably his grandmother's bed sheet and agreed that meant his death was likely a suicide and not a lynching.

Palm Beach Circuit Judge Harold Cohen convened the coroner's inquest into the May 28 death of Feraris "Ray" Golden to determine whether he committed suicide, as police said, or was lynched, as had been rumored.

Golden, 32, was found hanging himself from a tree outside his grandmother's house and relatives initially said it was impossible that he'd committed suicide, claiming he was found with his hands tied behind his back. Friends said Golden was dating a white policeman's daughter in the farming community of about 15,000.

Uneasiness over the death became so strong that NAACP leaders called for the inquest, the first in Palm Beach County in 18 years.

But during the inquest, family attorney Thomas Montgomery told the judge that Golden's aunt, Shresee Lumpkin, recognized the bed sheet used in the hanging and realized it probably was taken from the house.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&e=12&u=/ap/hanging_investigation

[bushisanidiot]

1. So What If the bedsheet Came From The House

Did anyone see if his hands were behind his back or not? If his hands were tied behind his back it is likely a lynching.

[Sequoia]

2. Really? And I guess the sheets used to lynch

other black men were bought from Macys or something. His hands could've been tied and then when he died, untied. But say, a black man dating a white woman who just happens to be married to a police officer?! And in Florida....?! I'd say it's rather suspect.

[fishnfla]

4. His own family believes it

Why cant you? Why do believe in Florida we lynch black people? Because we are all toothless rednecks right?

Where do you live,so I can fuel racist bullshit in your area.

[fishnfla]

3. There's a video

Police video, showing his hands at his sides. Tied hands on a corpse would leave ligature marks.

[Karenina]

5. Any chance this family

may have had a little "neighborly" visit?

[Randi_Listener]

6. So what if it's Florida?

What is this bullshit? Florida is no more or no less racially charged than any other area of the nation.

[fishnfla]

7. You're half wrong

Fact of the matter is, race relations are probably BETTER in the South as a whole than the rest of the country. The fact is we've learned to despise and manage prejudice and ignorance of all stripes, including that demonstrated in this thread. Folks down here learn and live respect. Fella's own kin says he 'prolly killed himself, we'll respect that, maybe they'd like to let him rest in peace.

You're 100% right though, the Florida bashing is total bullshit.