CHICAGO (FinalCall.com)�Two days after the city agreed to pay $18 million to the family of an unarmed Black woman shot and killed by a city police officer in June 1999, the family of a unarmed Black man killed by police within 24-hours of that incident, talked about their lawsuit and struggle for justice.

Joined by an attorney from their legal team, supporters and community leaders, relatives of Robert Russ demanded justice for their family and others victimized by "police misconduct." They spoke during a May 10 press conference at the Old St. Paul Baptist Church. Mr. Russ was 22-years-old when shot to death by officer Van Watts IV on June 5, 1999.

"What I want for the murder of my son is complete and total justice. I�m not depending on a monetary award for satisfaction. I want officer Van B. Watts IV put in jail, prosecuted for the murder and I want his family to hurt like I hurt. If I can get criminal prosecution against this man, there may be hope for others. I want the police force to stop and think before they commit another crime against a citizen. They (police) need to know that they too can be held accountable for what they do beyond their jobs," said Vera Love, Robert Russ� mother.

Family members filed a civil suit within days of the former Northwestern University football player�s death. He died 10 days before his scheduled graduation. The officer involved said Mr. Russ had refused to stop driving. According to the officer, who says he broke Mr. Russ� tinted window, the victim grabbed the weapon the officer thrust into the vehicle and the weapon discharged.

Attorneys for the family say the case may be ready to go to trial in 2002. Of three officers involved in the incident, the civil suit is only against Officer Watts and the City.

"They would have never shot my son and got away with it, if he were a young Caucasian man. If they had begun to prosecute police for killing young Black people, the incident with my son would have never happened," Isaac Russ, the victim�s father, told The Final Call.

Rev. Paul Jakes Jr., president of the Christian Council on Urban Affairs, wants a grand jury impaneled with the power to investigate and indict officers in the Russ case. He also wants a federal investigation.

"We must face the fact that the Chicago Police Department often acts as judge, jury and prosecutor on the streets. This is against the laws of this land. Almost every uprising in this country since 1965 has been caused by police misconduct," said Rev. Jakes, who is also pastor of Old St. Paul Baptist Church.

"Beyond this summer, we are seeking a long term solution to a long existing problem in Chicago. Why doesn�t the states attorney prosecute officers in Chicago? We call for justice now, not just for the Russ and Haggerty families, but for families that have been brutalized and killed across this city and nation," Rev. Jakes said.

Police should be prosecuted like ordinary citizens who commit crimes, said Atty. Standish Willis, who is representing the family along with Attorney Johnnie Cochran. Unequal and unfair enforcement of laws by police violate international human rights statutes, Atty. Willis said.

"We have an obligation, as members of this community, to make sure that the civil process�the filing of litigation based on police violence�does not obscure the real issues involved with police violence in our community," explained Atty. Willis.

"The end of civil litigation does not end the problem of police violence in our community. Although the civil litigation has ended in the Haggerty case, we understand that none of the officers involved have been brought to justice. If officers are not prosecuted for these crimes, they will kill, maim and attack our people and the prosecutor is sending a message that it�s alright to commit crimes against Blacks," he said.

Photo: Shooting victim Robert Russ' sister Brandi Russ, left, and mother Vera Love want justice.
Credit: Kenneth Muhammad