Cops in Black and White, Part VII

Jerry Bledsoe provides us with another installment of the David Wray/Greensboro Police Department story in today's Rhino Times. 

He introduces in greater detail James Hinson.  He describes the officer as someone who "wanted to be seen as a leader in the black community", who "courted black community and political leaders and the news media."  Hinson was reported to have attracted an extraordinary amount of news coverage.  He was involved with, led and initiated quite a number of charitable, community and promotional endeavors that gave him a high profile.  He became the subject of numerous positive media portrayals.  He befriended former Chief Robert White, and was placed on the fast track toward attaining a higher rank.  He went from patrol officer to corporal to sergeant within six months of the start of White's leadership as chief in June 1998.  Three years later he became lieutenant.

Hinson's subordinates were reported to have complained about him.  In addition, others in the department had concerns that some of his various promotional/charitable/community initiatives were not being followed through over the long term; or else that they represented an overcommitment for the Police Department.   And he was reported to have been spending many of his on-duty hours on these activities. 

Bledsoe also went into a lengthy description of circumstances surrounding Elton Turnbull and James Spencer Springette.  Springette ran the "Island Boys" drug cartel and was based in Columbia.   He was sufficiently problematic that he made the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List; and had been featured on America's Most Wanted.  He had a network of operatives in numerous locations-- and he worked with Turnbull, a key leader who was based in Greensboro. 

A complex web of drug running, gun smuggling and money laundering was described, and the ring was known to be violent.  Descriptions of bodies disappearing and gun battles peppered the story.

Turnbull used strippers and other women to assist with various drug and financial transactions.  The drug of choice was cocaine, and the dealings were routinely in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.   

A group of federal, state and local law enforcement officers joined in Greensboro to target Turnbull. 

But a couple of disturbing findings regarding the police department were uncovered in the process.

Said Bledsoe:  "Surveillance of (Turnbull's) residence on Spring Chapel Court had shown that one police officer made frequent visits.  His name was Larry Patterson.  When officers searched Turnbull's house, they found a hidden safe.  In it was the Police Department telephone number for Clinton Williams, a non-sworn Police Department employee who worked in logistics.  Williams was a friend of James Hinson.  Also found in the safe were Hinson's work and personal telephone numbers. "  This occurred in late 2002.

Bledsoe said that one of White's favorite officers, Julian Davis-- an African American captain-- had assigned Special Intelligence officers to "take a look at a troubling discovery about Hinson."  And Randall Brady would have to present this situation to Wray in his new position as chief.   These discoveries were made shortly before White left the department, but  Wray would somehow have to clean up the mess.

Comments

[ben holder]

The story Bledsoe is producing is amazing. I am glad you are posting about it. Wonder why the others are not? Is it not worth further discussion in the blog world? Or is it just not what others want to hear?

[John D. Young]

Thanks Joe for continuing your summary of Jerry Bledsoe's articles.

Ben, I think people don't yet know how to respond since we are so use to the 15 second sound bite or reading a headline. This type of detailed historical journalism is maybe new to most of us. I think the discussion will broaden once all the articles are printed in the Rhino Times.

Many are probably waiting for some shoe to fall while taking a deep breath. It will be interesting to see if people really want this type of almost book length journalism or if they primarily prefer the three sentence wrap up.

[Joe Guarino]

Thank you, Ben, for your comments. Perhaps everyone is waiting to see how this further develops. But I want to thank you for posting about the Project Homestead/GPD connection six months ago when few knew about it-- and your account, of course, had striking parallels with what Bledsoe reported.

And thank you also, Mr. Young. I am synopsizing these articles for two reasons. First, Bledsoe's series is providing a remarkable version of events we had not previously heard for the most part. And second, it will enable me later to review it more efficiently as I formulate my own thoughts.

Already, however, there are rumblings in the "beep" feature in the Rhino that Bledsoe is only providing Wray's account, and someone personally expressed that concern to me this week. Perhaps it would be good if Mr. Bledsoe at some point could, in a general way, divulge how many sources he has consulted, and what types of functions or jobs they held that gave them insight into this entire story. Understandably, he would not want to reveal his sources specifically. But it would be good to address these rumblings.

[Wendell Sawyer]

Joe:

I enjoy reading your summaries of the Bledsoe articles.

Some folks may be somewhat impatient as the story unfolds in each installment of Bledsoe’s series. Others may have their curiosity pricked…anxiously waiting for the next installment. It’s like reading a “who dunnit” in weekly installments. At this point in time, I think that the lack of discussion in the blogsphere on the Bledsoe series is because the story…thus far…is incomplete.

In each installment, Bledsoe provides us with several pieces of a complicated puzzle. By the time we read the last installment, I assume that Jerry will provide us with the missing pieces so that we will have a complete picture. Then, I suspect that the blog world will be buzzing over this fascinating story.

Bledsoe has done an outstanding job with his research. The background information he provides readers about the events and the characters involved is invaluable. I…for one…eagerly anticipate each installment.

[Joe Guarino]

Thank you, Mr. Sawyer, for the kind words. And I certainly agree with your assessment regarding Jerry Bledsoe's series and the relatively muted reaction thus far.

[Bubba]

"Is it not worth further discussion in the blog world? Or is it just not what others want to hear?"

It appears the answer is
"yes" to both questions.

Perhaps it's time for a survey of those blogs.

[Joe Guarino]

Bubba, I would welcome other blogs discussing it.

[Sue]

Joe, I read the Rhino when I get my hair cut (monthly, mostly) and picked up a copy the other day. Bledsoe's story is, if accurate, very well researched. He's got a straightforward writing style. The only thing I don't know is if he has an agenda. I guess I want to read the whole thing before I try to figure that out.

As for why "the blogs" are not discussing it, perhaps it's that there's no reason to condemn or congratulate anyone until we learn the conclusion. His foreshadowing seems to indict Mr. Hinson, but I don't know that. It appears that the deck was stacked against Chief Wray, but I don't know that either.

Maybe when we figure out where this is going, those who want to talk about it, will do so.

It could also be that Bledsoe's fact-laden writing is talking for itself.

[Joe Guarino]

Thanks, Sue. This is, indeed, a multidimensional story; and at times, it has been difficult to know what to think about the whole series of events. And with at least eight more installments-- and whatever reaction develops in response-- we are bound to learn more.