07-29-2012, 08:15 AM
From the Toledo Blade this morning:
Jermaine Baker, facing the camera, organizes a relay among the youngsters gathered at Essex Park in East Toledo for 'Addicted to Change,' a community picnic. THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER Enlarge
Published: 7/29/2012 - Updated: 1 hour ago
Neighbors host party to raise drug awareness
Relatives of man acquitted in murder say they are grateful
BY CASEY SUMNER
BLADE STAFF WRITER
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East Toledo families enjoyed games and barbecue Saturday at a neighborhood party, with the crowd including some relieved relatives of Cameo Pettaway, who was acquitted Thursday of charges stemming from the 2011 murder of a Springfield Township couple.
Jermaine Baker, Mr. Pettaway's stepfather, said he and a neighbor organized the "Addicted to Change" gathering at a park on Essex Street to help foster a sense of community among residents and raise awareness about drug and alcohol abuse.
"In our neighborhood we have a lot of kids, so we want to start the help here," Mr. Baker said.
The more than 60 people who came throughout the afternoon dined on grilled hot dogs and relaxed, chatted, and played volleyball and cornhole. Organizers distributed pamphlets with information about how to confront drug and alcohol abuse.
Related articles:
Cameo Pettaway freed
Co-defendant found guilty on all charges
Mr. Baker said the event was organized before Lucas County Common Pleas Judge James Bates' decision Thursday to acquit Mr. Pettaway, but he also said it might serve as a homecoming for Mr. Pettaway after his release Thursday from jail. Mr. Pettaway did not attend the gathering, however, and he could not be reached for comment Saturday by telephone.
Kenyatta Baker, Mr. Pettaway's mother, arrived briefly at the event, where she expressed gratitude for the verdict.
"I was numb," she said. "I already knew he was innocent, so it wasn't a big shock."
Rachel Pitts, left, and her son Samuel are served a hot dog as Holly Wilcox, Jasmine Ruiz, and Andrea Pitts wait. Neighbors gathered Saturday at the park at Front and Essex streets in East Toledo for a barbecue and games. THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER Enlarge | Photo Reprints
Mr. Pettaway, 23, and co-defendant Samuel Williams, 24, were both charged with aggravated murder in connection with the January, 2011, asphyxiation slayings of Lisa Straub and Johnny Clarke. Williams was found guilty Friday on all charges by a common-pleas jury, which now must consider a possible death-penalty recommendation for his sentencing.
Mrs. Baker said that she was glad the burden of the trial was over, but she also expressed concern about Mr. Pettaway's future.
"He's too young not to have a chance in life, over something he didn't do," she said.
Mrs. Baker said she and her husband were sympathetic to the Clarke and Straub families. "We really are sorry for what happened to them," she said.
Mr. Baker said he felt similarly strong emotions about the last few days. "I'm still in a state of awe," he said.
A few of the other neighborhood residents also spoke about the verdict.
"It shocked me," said Salvador Ruiz, 54, who lives on Essex Street and said he knows the Pettaways.
Organizers also raffled tickets to see the Toledo Walleye, the Detroit Tigers, and a few other local sports teams.
Several local businesses contributed to fund the food and raffle prizes, said Mr. Baker, including Kroger, Kmart, Walgreens, and Ron's Trailers.
Jermaine Baker, facing the camera, organizes a relay among the youngsters gathered at Essex Park in East Toledo for 'Addicted to Change,' a community picnic. THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER Enlarge
Published: 7/29/2012 - Updated: 1 hour ago
Neighbors host party to raise drug awareness
Relatives of man acquitted in murder say they are grateful
BY CASEY SUMNER
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Facebook Twitter Reddit Digg E-mail Print Rss
East Toledo families enjoyed games and barbecue Saturday at a neighborhood party, with the crowd including some relieved relatives of Cameo Pettaway, who was acquitted Thursday of charges stemming from the 2011 murder of a Springfield Township couple.
Jermaine Baker, Mr. Pettaway's stepfather, said he and a neighbor organized the "Addicted to Change" gathering at a park on Essex Street to help foster a sense of community among residents and raise awareness about drug and alcohol abuse.
"In our neighborhood we have a lot of kids, so we want to start the help here," Mr. Baker said.
The more than 60 people who came throughout the afternoon dined on grilled hot dogs and relaxed, chatted, and played volleyball and cornhole. Organizers distributed pamphlets with information about how to confront drug and alcohol abuse.
Related articles:
Cameo Pettaway freed
Co-defendant found guilty on all charges
Mr. Baker said the event was organized before Lucas County Common Pleas Judge James Bates' decision Thursday to acquit Mr. Pettaway, but he also said it might serve as a homecoming for Mr. Pettaway after his release Thursday from jail. Mr. Pettaway did not attend the gathering, however, and he could not be reached for comment Saturday by telephone.
Kenyatta Baker, Mr. Pettaway's mother, arrived briefly at the event, where she expressed gratitude for the verdict.
"I was numb," she said. "I already knew he was innocent, so it wasn't a big shock."
Rachel Pitts, left, and her son Samuel are served a hot dog as Holly Wilcox, Jasmine Ruiz, and Andrea Pitts wait. Neighbors gathered Saturday at the park at Front and Essex streets in East Toledo for a barbecue and games. THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER Enlarge | Photo Reprints
Mr. Pettaway, 23, and co-defendant Samuel Williams, 24, were both charged with aggravated murder in connection with the January, 2011, asphyxiation slayings of Lisa Straub and Johnny Clarke. Williams was found guilty Friday on all charges by a common-pleas jury, which now must consider a possible death-penalty recommendation for his sentencing.
Mrs. Baker said that she was glad the burden of the trial was over, but she also expressed concern about Mr. Pettaway's future.
"He's too young not to have a chance in life, over something he didn't do," she said.
Mrs. Baker said she and her husband were sympathetic to the Clarke and Straub families. "We really are sorry for what happened to them," she said.
Mr. Baker said he felt similarly strong emotions about the last few days. "I'm still in a state of awe," he said.
A few of the other neighborhood residents also spoke about the verdict.
"It shocked me," said Salvador Ruiz, 54, who lives on Essex Street and said he knows the Pettaways.
Organizers also raffled tickets to see the Toledo Walleye, the Detroit Tigers, and a few other local sports teams.
Several local businesses contributed to fund the food and raffle prizes, said Mr. Baker, including Kroger, Kmart, Walgreens, and Ron's Trailers.