University of Virginia Library

Policeman Threatens Suit
Against Virginia Weekly

By Mike Gartlan
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

The Virginia Weekly, a student
subsidized newspaper on the Grounds,
might be sued for libel by a member of
the Charlottesville Police Department.

The possible suit is the result of an
article published in the September 14
issue of the Weekly in which Patrolman David
Pleasants of the Charlottesville Police
Department is described as being "notorious
throughout the black community for his racism
and brutality."

The anonymous article, titled "Racist
Justice in Charlottesville," concerns the alleged
treatment of "Snake" Jones, a black member of
the Charlottesville community, after his arrest
on March 22 of this year on a charge of breach
of the peace. The arrest was made by Patrolmen
Pleasants and T.J. Robertson of the
Charlottesville Police Department.

The article alleges that Mr. Jones was
arrested after asking these officers if they had a
search warrant when they attempted to enter
the home of Mr. Jones' sister in search of a
suspect. Mr. Jones was visiting his sister at the
time. The Weekly article alleges that during the
trip to the Police station Mr. Pleasants slapped
Mr. Jones and called the black "a son of a
bitch."

The story goes on to say that Mr. Jones was
booked and later found guilty of breach of the
peace. After leaving the courthouse following
that judgment, the article states, the same pair
of officers again took Mr. Jones to the police
station and booked him on a charge of
disorderly conduct and cursing and abusing a
police officer on the same day he was first
charged.

When asked to comment on the suit, Dave
Morris of the Virginia Weekly said that no suit
has yet been filed. Al Long, editor-in-chief of
the Weekly, said that the allegation began when
one of the two officers allegedly mentioned the
possibility of a suit to a student distributing
copies of the Weekly on the Corner. Mr. Morris
said that he felt the threat was merely an effort
to intimidate the Virginia Weekly.

Mr. Morris also told The Cavalier Daily that
the police have allegedly been trying to secure
affidavits from citizens discounting the charge
of racism and brutality. Morris said further
that the article was written only after extensive
research and conversations with members of the
black community.

In an effort to back up its side of the story,
the Virginia Weekly has made a request to the
United States Civil Rights Commission that a
public hearing be held on the matter. This
hearing would bring members of the
community before an impartial board to
evaluate the situation.

Mr. Morris said that he felt that the
statement was an honest one and that it was
not intended to destroy Mr. Pleasants'
reputation. If it is determined that the
statement is indeed false, he said the Virginia
Weekly would apologize for it.