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Posted: Wednesday, 18 November 2009 1:37PM
Scott suicide refused as cause of death
Bob Roberts Reporting
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CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Activists and a group of West Side ministers close to Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott said Wednesday that they refuse to believe that Scott committed suicide, and want an expanded investigation into his death.
The group "Westside Ministers for Change," other ministers and West Side community activists said they want expanded investigations by the Illinois attorney general's office and the Justice Department, saying they would take their plea directly to
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder if U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald won't agree to one.
"That was a hell of a hit," said community activist Kublai Toure (tor-AY').
"This looks like a murder, and then trying to make it look like a suicide," said fellow community activist Harold Davis, who said he shares that view with one of Scott's wired-in City Hall friends, Phil Krone.
"To the M.E. -- we feel there has been a rush to judgment," said Pastor Johnny L. Miller, a member of the group of ministers, who made headlines with Scott last summer over attempts to procure city-owned lots next to Douglas Park in order to build a complex of condominiums and retail outlets while the city's Olympic bid was still alive and Douglas Park was a proposed venue.
The 30 ministers and activists, all of whom said they considered Scott to be a good friend, said they believe Scott was too involved with his family, the community and efforts to prevent violence to turn a gun on himself.
While Dr. Jones said Tuesday she had "no doubt" that Scott committed suicide, she said that was because the contact gunshot wound to the head was "more consistent" with suicide than with murder. She criticized Chicago Police for failing to perform certain tests at the scene and for moving the body from the scene before contacting her office, a violation of state law.
Nation of Islam Chief of Staff Leonard Muhammad said he found the medical examiner's explanation difficult to accept.
"If it's paranoia, then it's paranoia we paid for," he said, to shouts of agreement from others in attendance. "We want to say to you. We want answers and we want to know and we will not stop until our spirits are satisfied."
Davis said that Scott was too devoted a father to take his life just months after the death of his first wife, Millicent, and said Scott routinely traveled around the city without bodyguards despite his high profile.
"Who's next in the community of activists? Who's next for trying to do something for the community they love? Because we know Michael didn't have any enemies. We know that," he said.
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