Mac 2-0,211M. er'sFeePes Pg Va. Man freed after 27 years being wrongly incarcerated Sh .an cee:BoI ays, a ,ak e Kid's got talent Young Master Will Harding brought a Ritz Theater audience to their feet for his imitation of Michael Jackson. The youngster won the youth portion of "Amateur Night" last week during the Ritz semi-finals. His win secures him a spot in the finals for the grand finale in December for the big bucks. Amateur Night, fashioned after the famous "Showtime at the Apollo" and held monthly, the show features the city's best amateur talent judged by audience applause. Fresh from the "Blame a Black Man" *,1 file. Thomas Haynesworth of Richmond, Va. has final- S ly been freed to come Haynesworth home after serving 27 years in prison for crimes he did not commit. Haynesworth was 18-years-old when he was arrested as he walked to the market to buy sweet potatoes and bread for Sunday dinner. A woman who had been attacked days earlier saw Haynesworth and told a police officer he was the man that attacked her. Haynesworth, who had no criminal record, told police they had the wrong man. But five women ultimately identified him as their attacker. He was convicted in three attacks and acquitted in one; one case was dropped. In 2005, in the wake of the exon- erations of five other wrongly con- victed men, then-Virginia governor Mark R. Warner (D) ordered a sweeping review of thousands of criminal cases from 1973 through 1988. Haynesworth's was among them. Using technology that wasn't available in the 1980s, authorities tested DNA collected from a January 1984 rape for which Haynesworth was convicted. The results cleared him and implicated a convicted rapist named Leon Davis. Three decades after being impris- oned, Haynesworth has his free- dom, but he is still fighting to clear his name. He was released after Gov. Robert McDonnell asked the parole board to review his case. The state of Virginia is supporting Haynesworth's bid to have the Va. Court of Appeals issue a "Writ of Actual Innocence." "I believe in Mr. Haynesworth's innocence, and I will continue to work toward a complete vindication," Cuccinelli said in a written statement. "It's been a long journey," Haynesworth said. "I just want to reflect and sit down and talk to my momma and eat a meal with her." How sad is it that case after case keeps surfacing of where inmates are innocent of the crimes for which they were convicted? Imagine going out for bread and sweet potatoes at 18-years of age and never coming home again? How scared and devastated would you be? Haynesworth has lost 27- years of his life. At 46-years-old, hopefully he will be able to spend what is left of it with his family and friends, while still fighting to clear his name. Nsenga Burton of The Root. Bethel celebrates Bishop McKissick's 25 years in Ministry Bishop McKissick (L) looks on as he is spiritually serenaded by son of Bethel Dr. Cory Brown of The Providence Baptist Church in Newport News, Va. Also shown is Rev. Bob Dotson and Bishop McKissick, Sr.. R. Silver,; photo. The church family of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church along with the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship lauded and cel- ebrated 25 years in Ministry of Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Jr. It also represented his 15th anniver- sary at the church. The well planned celebration was open to the community and included a Family Game Day with favorites such as Family Feud, Deal or No Deal, Price Is Right, Let's Make A Deal and Minute To Win It. Guest Ministers for special serv- ices included Pastor Corey Brown of Providence Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia and Pastor Jamal Bryant of The Empowerment Temple in Baltimore, Maryland. Under his tutelage, over 10,000 thousand souls have been added to the min- istry, bringing the active disciple- The first family of Bethel: Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Jr., First Lady Kimberly McKissck and children Joshua and Janai (Jocelyn not shown). ship to well over 14,000. Bishop McKissick, Jr. serves in the capac- ity of Senior Pastor along with his father, Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Sr., who has served the church now himself for over forty plus years as Pastor. Their Pastorate of Bethel is unique, not only because they are father and son, but also because both McKissicks were born and raised in the Bethel church, both serving in various capacities before enter- ing into ministry and eventually the pastorate. In June of 2008, he was conse- crated and elevated into the high office of Bishop in the Lord's Church within the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship International, under the leadership of Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. and serves as the Bishop of the State of Florida for the Fellowship. JTA launches jingle contest for Jacksonville youth lA Andrew Jackson High School Track and Field: Coach Ernest Stephens, Michael Jackson (Coach), Joel Huffman, Coy- Mikel Weston, Donovon Mundy, Ayanna Williams, Tavaris Gadsden, Lynn Cook, Aaron Rogers, Carlisha Murray, Monica Myrick, Kalib Woods, Vernon Edwards (Coach), Brianna Bailey andCoach Coron Brelan. FMP Photos 1, High jump clinics. TMA Photo Getting kids interested in transit is not an easy task for any agency. Five years ago, Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) began offering a special pass pro- gram offering kids and their parents the opportunity to purchase summer monthly passes for youth at a reduced rate June at regular price, July for free and August at half price. The program was launched with the goal of encouraging adolescents ages 12 to 17 to ride transit to sum- mer jobs, volunteering, or to simply enjoy their summer break by visit- ing activity centers throughout the city. For the second consecutive year, JTA has expanded the program to include the Jingle Jam contest in which area students in grades 7 12 will be given the chance to write lyrics and perform an original song about taking transit to a Jacksonville Suns baseball game. Now through April 29, con- tenders can upload their 30760 sec- ond audition videos to JTA's web- site or deliver them to JTA offices. One grand prize winner and two runnerups will be selected. Additional details, contest rules, song requirements and registration instructions are available on the JTA website at www.jtafla.com. The prize pack includes the opportunity for the grand prize win- ner to record audio versions of their Jack & Jill inspiring youth orators Jack & Jll Chapter Pres. Shauna Allen present certificates to first and second place winners Malcolm Wilkes, Kathryn Huyghue, Myles Sams and Speakman Smith. Shown right is event chair Wana Willis. by Yvonne McClain-Gomes The Jacksonville Chapter of Jack & Jill recently held the Southeastern Region Ann Owen Gordon Teen Oratorical Competition and Speak Up Speak Out Presentations at Edward Waters College's Milne Auditorium. The following Teens/Teens pre- sented on the topic Speak Up Speak Out: Topic: Healthy Minds, Healthy Body and Healthy Soul: Allana Barlow, Morgan Cruse, Myles Sams (1st place) and Speakman Smith. The Teen Oratorical Competition topic Stitching the Hems of our Heritage: Malcolm Wilkes (1st place) Carly Allen, Sydney Clark, Lindsay Clark, Brian Holloway, Kathryn Huyghue, Cameron Spruill and Courtney Spruill. The competition was judged by Dr. Joy Hervey and Dr. Bertha Minus for volunteering to judge the competition. jingle in a professional studio and have it aired on local radio. In addi- tion, video versions of their jingle will play on the big screen at an upcoming Jacksonville Sun's base- ball game. Seniors 60+ invited to Mayor's Fish-a-thon Duval County residents 60 years of age and over are invited to join in Mayor Peyton's Fish-a-Thon. The annual event will feature fish- ing, games, lunch and an awards ceremony with trophies for most fish, largest fish, smallest fish, ugli- est fish and prettiest fish. The Fish-a-thon will be held on Wednesday, March 30th from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tournament fishing begins at 10 a.m. with games such as bingo and horseshoes shortly thereafter. Judging of th fishing tournament and the awards ceremony followed by lunch will take place at noon. Festivities will be at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, 500 Wonderwood Drive. Volunteers are also needed to help serve and clean up. For more infor- mation or to participate, visit www.makeascenedowntown or call (904) 630-3690. Raines' Coach James gives tips a student. TMA Raines Vikings pass off during the relay. nMA Ms. Perry's Free Press Page 5 March 24-30, 2011