Posted on 12/22/2007 6:45:30 AM PST by pabianice
Crime history undisclosed
WORCESTER, MA — Tyrone K. Gamble spoke passionately about the changes needed in the city to combat youth violence. The address was given at a press conference last month announcing that U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern’s Task Force on Youth Violence had received state grant money toward fighting violence.
Just a few seats away sat Mr. McGovern, Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray and other public officials who also spoke.
The politicians didn’t know Mr. Gamble would be speaking, on behalf of People Advancing Compassionate Transformation for Social Justice, until the day before the Nov. 29 press conference. They also didn’t know that about a month earlier he had pleaded not guilty in Worcester Superior Court to charges of being a habitual criminal and possession of a firearm without a Firearm Identification Card.
The political leaders said they are disappointed Mr. Gamble, who has a long criminal history, was chosen to speak at an event highlighting ongoing efforts to prevent violence.
But Keesha LaTulippe, assistant to the executive director of the Henry Lee Willis Community Center, said one of the reasons she chose Mr. Gamble to talk was because he is part of the “affected population” the anti-violence group needs to hear from to effectively combat the problem.
She was aware of Mr. Gamble’s background, but not about the recent case in Worcester Superior Court.
In a recent interview, she said the newer criminal case probably would not have changed her mind about having Mr. Gamble speak at the conference, which was held at the YWCA of Central Massachusetts.
“It’s unfortunate that everyone feels bad about it. The whole idea of this program is to bring everyone together as a group,” Ms. LaTulippe said. “I didn’t see an issue with it. I’m shocked anyone is bothered by it.”
Michael Mershon, press secretary for Mr. McGovern, said his office became aware of Mr. Gamble’s background sometime after the news conference. He said his office contacted PACT and told them they made a poor decision. Ms. LaTulippe said she wasn’t contacted.
“We didn’t know about this person’s background, and the fact PACT chose him to speak is disappointing and troubling,” Mr. Mershon said. “They made a bad decision. What we hope is their bad decision doesn’t distract us from the real problem of violence in our community.”
A statement from Mr. Murray’s office echoed those sentiments. Mr. Murray’s office called the choice of Mr. Gamble an unfortunate decision.
“The lieutenant governor believes that grant funding to help prevent and combat youth violence is extremely important to the health and well being of the citizens of the commonwealth,” according to his office. Mr. Murray “was unaware of the unfortunate decision made by the Henry Lee Willis to select Mr. Gamble as a speaker.”
City Manager Michael V. O’Brien, who spoke at the conference, was also unaware of Mr. Gamble’s ongoing legal problems.
Mr. McGovern’s task force, created after a spike in violent crime in the city earlier this year, received two state grants. The Willis Center is administering a $20,000 planning grant, but PACT will be working on the strategic planning process of dealing with violence in the city.
PACT, a diverse group of individual and institutional representatives, was created about a year ago to address racial and economic injustice.
Having the viewpoint of Mr. Gamble, a young African-American, is important, especially if the task force wants to address violent crime, Ms. LaTulippe said. Many of the victims and perpetrators of the serious stabbings and shootings this year have been African-American or Latino men in their early 20s.
“This is somebody who is coming to the table, volunteering his time and wants a better future for the city,” Ms. LaTulippe said of Mr. Gamble.
Mr. Gamble was arrested with two other men — brothers Jose and Richard Brito — in May after state police and members of the Worcester Police Department SWAT team searched an apartment on Barclay Street and seized crack cocaine and a loaded handgun. All three were charged with drug and gun offenses. They have since been indicted and arraigned in Worcester Superior Court.
Authorities said they confiscated 17 plastic bags containing what was believed to be crack cocaine, a loaded 9 mm semiautomatic handgun, bullets, shotgun shells, scales and more than $1,800 in cash.
Mr. Gamble accompanied officers with search warrants to the Barclay Street address after state police stopped the Honda Passport he was driving on Interstate 190, according to police accounts. Mr. Gamble was not found with any cocaine and there was none found in his vehicle, the statement said. He was in possession of $433 in cash, two cell phones and a key to the Barclay Street apartment, according to police reports.
After Mr. Gamble was first arraigned in Central District Court, he was bailed out by Andrew P. Robinson, one of two men who were gunned down on the evening of Oct. 31 in a North Ashland Street apartment building. Bail was $7,500 and was later applied when Mr. Gamble’s case was transferred to Superior Court.
Mr. Gamble declined to speak about his current criminal case. He said Mr. Robinson was his niece’s father.
He said he doesn’t understand why people are upset he spoke at the news conference.
“Who better to deal with youth that are getting in trouble than someone whose been in trouble?” the 28-year-old asked. “Who better than someone who is in the trenches to help lead the way?”
Mr. Gamble said he is trying to change his life and help people escape the pitfalls he fell into. He still plans to work with PACT and proclaimed he’ll work harder, now that his speaking at the news conference has been frowned upon.
“I don’t understand why any negativity could come from this,” he said. “You can’t also say ‘I’m trying to effectively help this group of people but I don’t have anyone from this group of people to speak on their behalf.’ ”
Wonder how much money this "meeting" cost the tax payer's of MA?
Worcester is my former home town. It is a den of liberalism. Democrat McGovern is a liberal Clintonista. The blue dog Democrats of yesterday have all passed away and left the city to yellow dog liberals. McGovern passed out some of the nastiest campaign material to the elderly I have ever seen. He told them of losing social security and medicare under Republicans. He managed to scare the bejesus out of the elderly voters. Many were petrified of losing the only source of money they have and he used it to get elected. I have no use for him.
As opposed to having lots of warm fuzzy feeling for Kennedy-Kerry? LOL!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.