Teen's hanging death spurs march in Bladenboro
Hundreds of protesters joined with the state chapter of the NAACP in a march in Bladenboro to call for a thorough federal investigation of a black teen whose death was ruled a suicide.
Posted — UpdatedDistrict Attorney Jon David said Friday that he requested the FBI investigation after the family of Lennon Lee Lacy repeatedly called for an outside review.
However, state NAACP President Rev. William Barber said his organization was responsible for requesting the FBI investigation.
Lacy was found last summer hanging from a noose fashioned from two belts and tied to a swing set in Bladenboro. Family members and NAACP officials have called his death a "possible race-based homicide" and said local authorities rushed to reach a conclusion and didn't fully investigate the case.
"There are things that have happened that have not been explained to me or the community and we deserve that," said Claudia Lacy, Lennon's mother.
Barber said the NAACP would not leave Bladenboro until everyone was satisfied that Lennon Lacy's death had been thoroughly investigated.
Israel Burden, one of Lacy's schoolmates, said he does not agree with the demonstrators.
"I think it was a suicide," he said. "Even though it was kind of weird the way it happened."
Barber says the group wanted the FBI to look at the case because the local investigation left too many unanswered questions.
"I just hope and pray that the truth will come out one day," Claudia Lacy said.
The Bladenboro police chief and the Clayton County district attorney said they welcome a second look at the investigation.
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