Finding Truth and Justice for Kenneka Jenkins

Jenkins

Jenkins

People across the country are posting their support and showing up, in person and online, for protests outside the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois. These protests have been held by the family and young people every night since a dead body was found in the hotel freezer. After six days, they are still without truth and justice.

Kenneka Jenkins left her home, at 11:30 p.m. CT, on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, to attend a party with her friends at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. She was encouraged to attend the event by her friend Irene Roberts, who recorded a private party with Jenkins and posted it on Facebook. The 19-year-old girl was not seen again until Sunday, when she was found in the hotel basement freezer.

Pieces of Truth

Police told Teresa Martin, Jenkins’ mother, that her daughter was found frozen to death in a double walk-in freezer in the basement. The party was held on the ninth floor.

Leonore Harris, Jenkins’ sister, spoke to reporters Monday. The police told the family they saw the surveillance video. At 3:30 a.m., Jenkins was stumbling along, alone, and using the wall to hold herself up. She continued past the front desk toward the freezer. They did not see her open the door and were not able to tell if there was somebody else in the basement. According to officers, the camera cut out when she approached the freezer. There is a surveillance camera in front of the freezer door, however, Harris was told police were not sure if the camera was working.

If surveillance videos show Jenkins stumbling through the hallway at 3:30 a.m. why did her best friend Monifah Shelton post this on her Facebook page at 3:23 a.m.?

Everybody Kno our bond was tight she was the sweet friend I was the mean friend. Mfs Know I didn’t play about her and she didn’t play about me I’m so sorry this happen to u. u didn’t deserve it u. I’m missing tf outta u #Sister4Life.

Clearly, from Shelton’s post, Jenkins was not stumbling anywhere. What happened to her? Why is she apologizing?

Truth and Social Justice Misrepresented

On Sept. 11, Andrew Holmes, Martin, and Harris met with reporters. They made a public plea to Jenkins’ friends, asking them to come forward with what they saw and heard during the party, so detectives can conduct a proper investigation.

On Sept. 14, Ja’Mal Green, Jedidiah Brown, and Holmes held a press conference. Holmes said he had permission from Martin to view the surveillance video of her daughter. He announced that he clearly saw Jenkins walking into the freezer by herself.

He stated that he went into the hot, dark freezer and both doors closed behind him. The group of social justice activists reported the family was at peace and accepted that the young girl’s death was accidental.

Regenerated Truth and a Look at Corruption

An hour later, Brown went live on Facebook announcing the press conference was a lie. He said the turn of events seemed strange to him but he trusted Holmes was following the family’s directives. Brown was furious and convinced there was corruption in Chicago. What made Homes and Green brave enough to lie in a live press conference?

During that night’s protest, Martin also stated the information presented during that press conference was false. Additionally, Martin stated Holmes had called her and said the Crowne Plaza Hotel was losing money. He asked her to stop the protests by making a request on Facebook Live. Is the hotel paying Holmes?

During the discussion at the Thursday protest, Brown put another call out to Chicago to help this family receive answers and the “correct justice.” He made this statement live with Martin by his side in agreement. She wants the protests to continue and she wants them to remain peaceful.

Surveillance videos from the Crowne Plaza Hotel were supposed to be released to Martin, by 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14. She still has not seen any of the footage.

Continuing Investigation to Find Truth and Justice

This case has sparked national interest across major social media platforms. Daily protests have been live on Facebook and supported by people all over the country. The nation wants to see Martin gain peace and justice for her daughter.

Currently, the people that have been identified at the Crowne Plaza Hotel party include: Irene Roberts, Rene Roberts, Chalo Anderson, Monifah Shelton, Deon Hardimond, Ty Sanders, Lerone Bradley, Abreonna Mays, and Tiny Junious.

This investigation is ongoing and as confirmed reports are made this story will be updated. There are videos circulating across social media sites. The News School is analyzing them at this time. This news site will not report any information on the case that has not been verified.

By Jeanette Smith

Image Courtesy of Michel Curi’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License

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