Winston-Salem State University has formed a commission on campus and community safety.
We know why. But it never hurts to make sure:
WSSU’s commission was put together in the wake of several charges brought against current and former WSSU students in the past few years, including the death of police Sgt. Howard Plouff, who was shot Feb. 23 outside the Red Rooster nightclub on Jonestown Road.
Police have charged Keith Antoine Carter, 22, a WSSU student, with first-degree murder.
Police seized eight guns after the shooting and arrested another WSSU student and a former student on weapons’ charges.
Plouff’s death followed the arrests last year of Marcos Bryant, a WSSU student, and Roderick Perry, a former WSSU student, in connection with the shooting deaths of two men in January 2006 on East First Street. They are awaiting trial.
I have to wonder if, much like the overreaction to the Guilford College incident, WSSU’s reaction isn’t based on an assumption of guilt. Remember, the three students mentioned have not been convicted of any crime; they only are awaiting trial. So is it not a valid concern that the commission could somehow prejudice potential jury members?
