Latest news with #JusticeforDoug
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Community marks 90 days since Harless shooting with candlelight vigil
Despite the rainy weather Sunday night, community members came together outside of the London Police Department for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Doug Harless. Harless, 63, was shot at his home on Vanzant Road in the Lily community during the attempt to serve a search warrant by LPD at the incorrect address. Harless died as a result of the officer-involved shooting on Dec. 23, 2024. Sunday marked 90 days since his death, which remains under the investigation of Kentucky State Police Post 11 as of press time. Community member Jamie Burns, who has been actively involved in many events held in Harless' memory, encouraged those at the candlelight vigil to stand for at least 23 minutes in remembrance of the date Harless passed. Wearing ponchos with umbrellas in hand, attendees lit each other's candles on the sidewalk outside of the LPD, reflecting on Harless and his passing. Among attendees was Sheryl Molihan, who spoke on the impact the incident has had on the community. 'This situation has literally broken all of our hearts,' Molihan stated. 'The first night I heard that this had happened, I broke down and cried, and immediately started praying for the family because it was so surreal.' Although Molihan has moved away from London, her hometown, she has attended all but one of the events held for Harless. She urged that no one being indicted for the incident would be a 'travesty.' 'There is no ending that makes this better,' said Molihan. 'You can't bring an innocent man back, but I think that the only justification for the family is going to be someone being indicted for this.' Molihan's sister, Sheila Wittenback, also attended the vigil. It was Wittenback's birthday, however, she felt she should prioritize the 'most important thing first.' She has been at each of the events thus far. 'I'm just showing my support because I think that it's a tragedy,' Wittenback commented. 'It could've been anybody.' Married couple Kristy and William Eversole attended the gathering as well. The pair knew Harless personally, sharing that they were 'good friends' for over 20 years. 'He was a good man. He was an innocent man and a good friend,' Mrs. Eversole stated. 'I will stand until justice is served.' Mr. Eversole also affirmed that Harless was a 'good person,' commenting, 'As long as I am breathing, I will hold my sign right down there for everybody to see.' Mr. Eversole's sign reads, 'Justice for Doug.' He recently held the sign across the street from London City Council's latest special-called meeting, standing alone. The next event in honor of Harless will be a protest outside of the April 7 London City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. To stay updated on events held in Harless' memory, join the 'Justice for Doug' Facebook group.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Harless' sister joins protestors outside of Monday London City Council meeting
Horn honks and chants by protestors could be heard by attendees of the London City Council meeting Monday as community members lined the sidewalk outside to demand justice for Doug Harless. It has been nearly 80 days since the fatal London Police officer-involved shooting of 63-year-old Harless, which remains under the investigation of Kentucky State Police Post 11 at this time. In a show of solidarity, community members gathered outside of the recent special-called city council meeting to send a clear message regarding the Dec. 23 shooting. The protest began at 5 p.m., just 30 minutes before the meeting, and continued throughout. Protestors held signs pertaining to the incident as they chanted, 'Justice for Doug,' and 'Wrong person, wrong address.' Among attendees was Angie Martin, Harless' sister. Martin learned of her brother's death after receiving a phone call on the morning of Christmas Eve last year. 'It was pure devastation,' Martin stated. 'We had to try to make it through the next few holidays trying to put together what had happened, and we're still — 77 days later — trying to figure out what happened.' Harless was killed at his home in the Lily community when the police attempted to execute a search warrant at what turned out to be an incorrect address, leaving the community with unanswered questions. The agency's only statement on the incident indicated Harless had been armed. Martin urged, 'We want to know: What are you going to do to make sure this never happens again? What measures are you taking as community leaders? 'He was a normal blue-collared worker,' Martin said of her brother. 'He got up and went to work every day, then he came home. He loved his daughters. He loved his grandkids. He loved his family. He minded his business and didn't bother anybody.' Following the incident, a Facebook group called 'Justice for Doug' emerged. In the group, members remember Harless and organize events to call for justice for him. Monday's protest was the latest in a series of events held by the group, with the initial one taking place Jan. 4. 'The support of the community is amazing,' Martin commented. 'It's not just us [the family] and losing my brother. The citizens of the community are scared; they want change. They need change.' The group has garnered at least 3,800 members at this time. 'Accountability — that's what we would like to see,' Martin said on behalf of the group. 'We will not give up until it's done.' To stay updated on gatherings such as this one, join the 'Justice for Doug' Facebook group at
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Yahoo
High-profile civil rights attorney to represent family of man killed by London police
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — The family of a man who was shot and killed by London officers has turned to a well-known civil rights attorney for help. Ben Crump—who is known for representing the families of Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor—has taken on the Douglas Harless case, according to Harless' family. Community demands answers after Laurel County man is killed by police London police dispatch audio indicates officers allegedly served warrant at wrong address: KSP investigating Surveillance video of deadly London search warrant shooting sparks questions Did London police follow search warrant regulations during fatal officer-involved shooting? Experts weigh in Man killed in officer-involved shooting during search warrant in Laurel County Harless, 63, was shot and killed days before Christmas when it appears as if officers responded to the wrong home while serving a search warrant for a stolen weedeater. Since his death, community members have gathered to honor Harless' life while calling for justice and answers from officials through the 'Justice for Doug' movement. Child sex offenders could be banned from trick-or-treating under Lexington lawmaker's bill Ky. prison guard's plea sheds light on what inmates called 'staff assault day' Trial for man accused of shooting Ky. lawmaker's daughter in her sleep postponed: Here's why FOX 56 has reached out to Crump for a statement and is waiting to hear back. The shooting is still under investigation by Kentucky State Police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
