Name: Full Interview: Fayetteville man speaks to WRAL about retrieving his sisters' remains from Philadelphia after legal battle
Uploaded: 2022-08-06T13:26:33-0400
Duration: 374829
Description: Lionell Dotson spoke with WRAL News about the legal battle and frusterations he's had with the city of Fayetteville while trying to retrieve the remains of his sisters, who were killed in a 1985 police bombing.

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Lionell Dotson spoke with WRAL News about the legal battle and frusterations he's had with the city of Fayetteville while trying to retrieve the remains of his sisters, who were killed in a 1985 police bombing. 

of course we're here to talk about your sisters. I would love to just learn a little bit about them. What you do know about them and just anything you'd be willing to share with me. They died in the fire 1985 by the hands of the police department. They dropped the bomb on their house 60 to 21 0. Sage Avenue. And Patricia Dotson were among the 11 that were killed. There were only 12 and 14 years of age. And you've already shared just a little bit of information with me. But would you mind sharing me anything, is there anything else you'd like to add? Just as far as um they're passing or the bombing itself? Any any other information we should be aware of? Well, just a simple fact that this has been an ongoing, tragic battle to receive my sister remains from the medical examiner which was in Philadelphia. They had them on the shelf for 37 years and just August the third I received them in hand by the way, the medical examiner's office and they were cremated at Ivy Hill Cemetery in philadelphia. And now I get to give them a proper goodbye versus them being suffering on the shelf for 37 years at the hands of the field up in medical examiner's office. Okay. And did you know that the medical examiner's office had there remains this whole time or how did you find out? I found just last year through an article that was on the internet last april before mom passed away and they were kept for what reason I do not know. I'm still researching that me and my legal team. So we don't know yet why they were kept for so long. And I finally got to haven't released them to me and now they're here in my care. I can say my goodbyes sometimes. Right, okay. And seems a little a little bit frustrating. But what was your first reaction when you had realized that their remains were still at the medical examiner's office and you were able to retrieve them? I would just, you know, at my wits end like, okay, why do you guys have them? Why do I have to wait so long? It's been over a year that I knew about them and I just feel like they did it on their terms and it just wasn't right there systemic racism. And like I said before, had this been a white family, this would not have happened like this. They were not treated like this and racism needs to be addressed. Okay, thank you. And how old were you when, when they passed away? Okay. Do you remember anything about that time or you know what that felt like in the moment I found out the way of television, my aunt told me that was your sister died in the bombing. I was like, I couldn't grasp the idea that it was only eight years of my bombing. My sisters. It didn't make sense. And then as I got older and older I started realizing, okay, I did have two sisters. Just see what they were talking about. When I was only eight years old, I left philadelphia. I came back, my mom passed away and I had to find the attorney so I can get my sisters out of philadelphia. And like I stated, I can now rid them of the city to help murder them. I could never hold my sister's hand, never hear their voices. I never got to grow up with them or interact with them. So the city philadelphia took so much from me. Right. And we're your sisters simply by standards when the bombing occurred? No, they were in the actual house itself. They were trying to get out for some reason. You know the city was shooting at the house, they dropped the bomb on the bunker, the bunker ignited, the whole house went up in flames and instead of putting the fire out to let the fire burn, wow and remind me, I apologize but have you already retrieved their remains or do you still have to, I received I have that remains in my possession. What was left of them. So yes, I have in my in my possessions right now. Okay. Did you have to drive to philadelphia for that or how did you retrieve? Well, the city of philadelphia paid for my airfare, hotel accommodations. I mean that was the least they could do. But you know it's not at all gonna repay the debt that they owe me for killing my sisters? This is a small step. So what comes next for you outside of maybe legal action or are is the next most important thing on your list actually giving them a proper burial or service? Well, I'm still like stage, I'm sticking by. I would like for the mayor of philadelphia and the police commissioner to apologize publicly because he represents the city that helped kill my sister and Commissioner of philadelphia Police Department. She represents the police department that dropped the initial bomb. So them too. I have an apology for and I'm still waiting. Okay. So I mean clearly a very frustrating situation but kind of looking at the positive side of things. What does it mean to you and your family that you get to provide your sisters with a more proper service or burial at this point it's an honor and respect and dignity thing for them since they suffered suffered a tragic loss of their life the way it happened, I shouldn't even be here talking about it in the first place. But but they took them and I'm better for it and I'm moving on in my life. So I can say that part of my life is behind me now that chapter in the book is finished is done and just move on from there and just, you know, recollect my thoughts and move forward. Sure. And any plans for a service and will that maybe be open to the public or simply be, um, specific to just family there? It's gonna be private Cause, you know, they've been exposed and display and manipulated for so many years. Even in their death, they couldn't rest in peace because the city just, you know, deal with they wanted with their remains story in a box on the shelf and just inhumane to do that. Okay, well thank you so much for sharing all that with me. Is there anything that I haven't asked you that you wanted to include or you thought was important for us to share with your story? Simply do not turn a blind eye when you see something wrong, especially when it comes to government officials. Okay.

Maggie Brown

Meghan Glova

Full Interview: Fayetteville man speaks to WRAL about retrieving his sisters' remains from Philadelphia after legal battle

Sisters Katricia and Zanetta Dotson

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I'm meteorologist, Amy Wilma in the WRL severe weather center, we had a dry warm day today, but a cold front is off to the west of us and it arrives tomorrow and brings the potential for some scattered showers and some thunderstorms. It's a pretty potent system today with a level three out of five risk for part of the Midwest. But the severe weather will be moving eastward as this cold front moves eastward as well. And we'll have the risk for severe storms tomorrow. Although the storm energy will not be as high tomorrow as it is today. There's a lot of storm energy west of us today and that's why they have that higher risk for severe storms. But as this system moves closer to North Carolina, it does weaken. We could still have some isolated severe storms but we have weak to moderate energy. We don't have the strong energy that they have west of us today. So it's a level one risk for most of us Friday. This is in the afternoon and evening. So isolated severe storms possible. The biggest threat will be some damaging winds and a potential for some hail as Well, the first half of the day is dry, so no rain worries for the morning commute. But by the time we get to the afternoon and evening, that's when we'll have scattered showers and storms and any of the storms that do form could become severe. And our highest rain chances are right during the evening commute. So about a 40% chance for rain tomorrow as we move ahead to Saturday, only a slim chance for a shower, a 20% chance for rain. But then a decent chance for rain on Sunday, we don't expect storms, but mainly the second half of our Sunday will have some scattered showers and it will be a cooler day. Here's a look at the rain over the weekend again, just a slim chance for rain on Saturday. Otherwise partly to mostly cloudy skies with temperatures in the low to mid seventies. Sunday morning looks mainly dry with a little bit of rain over some of our southern counties. But then as we head toward the afternoon, a better chance for rain, especially south and east of the triangle. And then during the evening is when some of that rain lifts to the north and includes a good part of the viewing area on Sunday. So the second half of the day certainly looks like the wettest part of the day, still warm Friday with a high of 84. And then we're down into the mid seventies Saturday, high temperatures will be in the low to mid sixties for Sunday and Monday with some chilly mornings, Monday morning and Tuesday morning. Down into the forties, we warm back up next week though. 74 on Tuesday, 78 Wednesday and near 70 for a high temperature on Thursday.

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Good evening. I'm Gayle Hurd. Welcome to tonight's joins for Thursday, April 18th, 2024. Well, let's get started tonight with our Carolina pick three. Our first winning number is a three. Our second number is three also and our third number tonight is two and our pick three. Fireball number is one. Joining me for tonight's drawing is our auditor from mcconal and Jones L LP. Now let's move to the Carolina pick four. Good luck. Everyone is that first winning pick four number. It's a seven. Our second number is six. Third number tonight is seven again and our fourth number is two and our pick for a fireball number is an eight. We're turning now to the Carolina cash five. If no one was the top prize tonight. Tomorrow, our prize is estimated at $235,000. Good luck. Everyone. Who's that first winning cash five number. It's 22. Second number is five third number tonight is it 25. Our fourth number is 10 and the final number in our cash drive this evening is 21. The North Carolina education lottery has contributed over $10 billion to education Thanks to your support. Get your winning numbers right here every night in your exclusive station for the North Carolina Education lottery. Thanks for playing. Have a great night.

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Good afternoon. I'm back. Global. Welcome to this news drawings for Thursday, April 18th, 2024. Let's get started with Carolina pick three. The first pick three numbers zero. The second is one, the third is six that are pick three. Fireball number is one. Joining me for this afternoon's drawing is our auditor for a con and Jones L LP. Now move on to Carolina pick for the first four. Number is three. The second is for the third is 54, is seven in our pick four. Fireball number is nine. The North Carolina education lottery has contributed over $10 billion to education. Thanks for your support and thanks for playing.

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After 22 years in business, Armadillo Grill on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh has closed.



WE HAVE MORE RAIN IN THE FORECAST FOR THE WEEKEND. I'LL SHOW YOU COMING UP. THE LIST OF DOWNTOWN RALEIGH BUSINESSES SHUTTING THEIR DOORS IS ARMADILLO GRILL IS THE LATEST TO CLOSE FOR GOOD. >> WRAL'S SEAN GALLAGHER IS IN DOWNTOWN RALEIGH TO FIND OUT WITH THIS MEANS FOR THE GLENN WOOD, SOUTH AREA. SEAN, THIS WAS A SURPRISE TO A LOT OF FOLKS. >> YEAH, THIS WAS VERY ABRUPT SO ABRUPT THAT WE'VE SEEN A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE COMING UP HERE TRYING TO GET LUNCH ON THIS THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND THEY'RE MET WITH THIS SIGN ON THE DOOR, LETTING THEM KNOW THAT THEY ARE SHUT DOWN FOR GOOD, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AT THIS LOCATION. NOW, THIS TEX MEX RESTAURANT CALL THE CORNER OF GLENWOOD AVENUE AND TUCKER STREET HOME FOR THE LAST. 22 YEARS. IN A FACEBOOK POST, THE OWNERS SAY CHANGES IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY AND RISING COSTS ARE WHY THEY'RE SHUTTING DOWN THIS LOCATION. IT'S THE LATEST IN A STRING OF STAPLE BUSINESSES RALLY, CLOSING CLOUDS BREWING, SHUT DOWN ITS RALEIGH TAVERN ON WEST STREET EARLIER THIS MONTH IN THE CAPITAL CLUB. 16 IS SHUTTING DOWN AT THE END OF THIS MONTH. OUR BELOVED REAL SAID THEY WILL LOOK FOR ANOTHER LOCATION TO SERVE THE RALEIGH COMMUNITY. BUT FOR SHARE MCCRACKEN OF GARDEN SCAPE DESIGNER FOR BUSINESSES AROUND THIS AREA. THIS IS JUST A SIGN OF THE EVOLUTION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. >> IT'S ELEVATING RIGHT NOW. PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT ABLE TO KIND OF ROLL WITH IT. NATURALLY COMING TO AN END AND MAYBE THERE WILL BE ANOTHER SPOT THAT'S PERFECT FOR THEM. BUT YOU CAN DEFINITELY FEEL THAT THERE IS A CHANGE GOING ON ON THE STREETS OF DOWNTOWN RALEIGH. >> AN ARMADILLO GRILL WILL ARE STILL OFFER THEIR CATERING SERVICES HERE AND THEY WILL STILL OPERATE THEIR FLAGSHIP LOCATION IN CARRBORO. BUT RENEE, THAT'S ABOUT 40 MINUTES AWAY RIGHT NEAR UNC CAMPUS. >> WHILE CUSTOMERS WILL HAVE TO DRIVE A LOT FARTHER AND WE WILL SEE WHAT ENDS UP TAKING ITS PLACE. THERE ON GLENWOOD

Glenwood South staple Armadillo Grill closes

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Is powerball. Good evening, everyone. I'm Randy Trainer. Tonight. We have our life changing jackpot. It's estimated to be $80.7 million to get your tickets ready. Here. Come, tonight's winning numbers. Let's start things off this evening with the number 24. Right after that America. We have the number 54 and congratulations to Lisa Hayes from Illinois. She won $2 million playing powerball. All right, the rest of your winning number is 4447. And let's round it out tonight with the number 29 and tonight's win powerball number that's gonna be two and your power play multiplier is two. Let's take a look at tonight's winning numbers. Remember there are multiple ways to win. Good luck, everyone. We'll see you back here on Saturday night. It's time to play America's favorite.

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A crash has shut down all but one lane of Interstate 540 westbound near Buffaloe Road in Raleigh. Sky 5 is over the scene

Crash shuts down I-540 West near Buffaloe Road in Raleigh; Sky 5 is over the scene

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>> ACROSS AMERICA WITH MEGA JACKPOTS, IT'S MEGA MILLIONS. HELLO, MAYOR COMES ON CODE IS TUESDAY. APRIL 16TH AND TONIGHT'S MEGA MILLIONS JACKPOT IS AN ESTIMATED A NEW TIES. 148 MILLION DOLLARS. >> DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. TONIGHT'S DRAWING HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY HALTED. ONCE THE MALFUNCTION IS CORRECTED, THE DRAWING WILL CONTINUE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE AUDITOR. WE SAY TO THE STATION FOR ALL WINNING NUMBERS. >> SPOTTY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS POPPING UP HOW

Full Interview: Fayetteville man speaks to WRAL about retrieving his sisters' remains from Philadelphia after legal battle

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