In September 1992, a police officer (name unknown) saw Damon John at the KFC located by Nisky Center and approached him and said “Crucian you need to be careful and watch yourself because a group of officers at the VIPD are accusing you of murder.” Damon explained that he too had heard the rumors but he had no knowledge or involvement in a murder. On October 6, 1992, Damon was playing basketball w
ith his friends on the Kirwin Terrace basketball court. The lights went out on the court so Damon left and started walking home, just past Frenchie’s Catering. On his way home, an unmarked police vehicle passed by, stopped a distance ahead, turned around and came back towards him. Officer Charleswell a/k/a “Blackie” and another unknown officer exited the car and said “Crucian you need to come with us!” Damon asked them what for. Instead, they slammed him up against the police car, handcuffed him, placed him in the car and drove him down to the station where he was told that he was being arrested for the murder of a man named Henry “Mafia” Nibbs, a man he had never met, seen or even spoken to. Damon knew that he had nothing to do with the “murder” so he was very cooperative when he arrived at the police station. Detective Frazer was there when he arrived. Damon remembered Detective Frazer from a previous incident two years prior where Frazer was present and did nothing to stop another officer from assaulting and physically abusing Damon while questioning him regarding another matter. The officer pulled Damon’s head back while he was handcuffed and sitting on a chair and poured water down his nose and mouth to try and drown him. Damon continuously pleaded with the officers and told them that he did not know anyone by the name of “Mafia,” nor was he ever anywhere near the area where the victim was shot. Damon was extremely horrified when he was later charged with the crime, placed under arrest and denied bail. Damon, a young boy just twenty years old, sat in court for two (2) days and held his composure as he listened to witnesses provide fabricated and false testimony against him, which obviously led to his conviction of 1st degree murder. He is currently serving a natural life sentence at the Golden Grove Correctional facility. Since his conviction, Damon has spent the last twenty one (21) years seeking justice, soliciting help and gathering evidence to prove his innocence. The evidence and testimony will reveal that the justice system failed this young man. The Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, Detectives, members of the VIPD and numerous other individuals knew for a fact that Damon was innocent, but no one did anything to help him. Instead, everyone swept this case under the rug.
