*MEDIA ADVISORY*
INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY TO AIR SPECIAL ENCORE OF "THE INJUSTICE FILES: HOOD OF SUSPICION" FEATURING CASE OF ROBBIE TOLAN
WHY: Last week, an historic ruling was handed down by the U. S. Supreme Court ordering the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to revisit the case of Robbie Tolan, who was shot on New Year's Eve of 2008 in his driveway by a Bellaire, TX police officer. A civil lawsuit was later filed and went before the Supreme Court where the ruling was rendered last Monday. Today in Houston, a cross section of local and national community leaders, organizations and elected officials hosted a press conference with the Tolan family to demonstrate their support and outrage over the continuing injustice of the shooting and killing of African American males across the country.
WHAT: Profiled in Investigation Discovery's (ID) critically-acclaimed special, THE INJUSTICE FILES: HOOD OF SUSPICION, a special encore presentation featuring the Robbie Tolan case will air on ID tomorrow, Tuesday, May 13 at 9AM ET / 8AM CT.
Around 2:00 AM, on December 31, 2008, Robbie Tolan and his cousin were confronted in their driveway, in the prominent, predominantly white city of Bellaire, Texas by local police officers who suspected that the young men were driving a stolen vehicle. According to relatives, the two young men were returning from a late night run to Jack in the Box, when police officers emerged from the darkness pointing a flashlight and gun at them. An altercation ensued when the police officer reportedly pushed Robbie's mother, leading the officer to fire a shot at Robbie when he responded to protect his mother. The officer contends he was defending himself stating that he thought Robbie was reaching for a weapon, reacting quickly in what he thought was self-defense. No weapon was found, and the officer was put on administrative leave, while stridently rejecting any allegation of racial profiling.
From acclaimed documentary filmmaker Keith Beauchamp, THE INJUSTICE FILES: HOOD OF SUSPCION examimes racial profiling practices, including "stand-your-ground" laws, which state that a person may justifiably use force in self-defense when there is reasonable belief of an unlawful threat These laws, which on their face may seem fair, have often been used to discriminate against, intimidate and even murder innocent minorities.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 13 at 9AM ET / 8AM CT
WHERE: Only on Investigation Discovery
Check local listings for channel number
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