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Benjamin Crump

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Benjamin Crump
Born
Benjamin Lloyd Crump

(1969-10-10) October 10, 1969 (age 55)
Lumberton, North Carolina, U.S.
Alma materFlorida State University (BS, JD)
OccupationAttorney
SpouseGenae Crump
WebsiteOfficial website

Benjamin Lloyd Crump (born October 10, 1969) is an American civil rights attorney who specializes in civil rights and catastrophic personal injury cases. His practice has focused on leading high-profile cases such as Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, the poisoned children from the Flint water crisis, and the plaintiffs behind the 2019 Johnson & Johnson baby powder lawsuit alleging the company's talcum powder product led to ovarian cancer diagnoses.[1][2][3][4] Crump is also founder of the Tallahassee, Florida-based law firm Ben Crump Law.

In 2020, Crump became the attorney for the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, whose deaths led to unprecedented protests against police brutality in America as well as internationally.[5]

Early life and education

Benjamin Lloyd Crump was born in Lumberton, North Carolina, near Fort Bragg.[6] The oldest of nine siblings and step-siblings, Crump grew up in an extended family and was raised by his grandmother.[7] His mother Helen worked as a hotel maid and in a local Converse shoe factory.[8] His mother sent him to attend South Plantation High school in Plantation, Florida where he lived with her second husband, a math teacher, whom Crump identifies as his father.[8][9]

He attended Florida State University and received his bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 1992. Crump received his Juris Doctor from Florida State University in 1995.[10] A classmate of Crump's at Florida State University College of Law was journalist Shannon Bream.[11] He is a life member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.[12]

Career

2002 - 2014: Early career, Martin and Brown cases

In 2002, Crump represented the family of Genie McMeans, Jr., an African-American driver who died after being shot by a white state Trooper.[13] In 2007, Crump represented the family of Martin Lee Anderson, an African-American teenager who died after a beating in 2006 by guards in a Florida youth detention center.[14]

In 2012, Crump began representing the family of Trayvon Martin, who was killed by George Zimmerman on February 26, 2012.[15]

Crump also represented Ronald Weekley Jr., a 20-year-old African-American skateboarder beaten by police in Venice, California in 2012.[16]

Crump also represented the family of Alesia Thomas, a 35-year-old African-American woman who died while in police custody in August 2012.[17] Journalist Chuck Philips reported that during the arrest by female Officer Mary O’Callaghan, Thomas was "slammed to the ground, handcuffed behind her back, kicked in the groin, hog-tied and stuffed into the back seat of a patrol car, where she died."[18] Crump demanded that dashboard video of the incident be released, threatening legal action and encouraging Attorney General Eric Holder to launch a federal probe.[18][19] In October 2013, one of the arresting officers was charged with felony assault of Thomas, pleading not guilty.[20] Judge Shelly Torrealba signed off on a request by the district attorney's office to only release the video to prosecutors and defense attorneys. This was to prevent the tainting of potential jury candidates O'Callaghan's attorney Robert Rico said.[21]

On August 11, 2014, the family of Michael Brown announced that they would be hiring Crump to represent their case, especially as the death had been widely compared to the Trayvon Martin case.[22][23][24] Also in 2014, Crump represented the family of Tamir Rice, an African-American youth who was killed by police in Cleveland, Ohio while holding a toy gun.[25]

2015 - present: Continued police brutality lawsuits, George Floyd case

In 2015, Crump represented the family of Antonio Zambrano-Montes, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who was killed by three policemen in Pasco, Washington.[26] Also in 2015, he represented the family of Kendrick Johnson, an African-American high school student who was found dead at his school in Valdosta, Georgia under mysterious circumstances, but stepped down from their legal team in late 2015.[27][28] In late 2015, Crump began representing the family of Corey Jones, who was killed by a plainclothes officer while waiting for a tow truck in South Florida.[29][30]

In 2016, Crump began representing the family of Terrence Crutcher, an unarmed black man shot and killed by a Tulsa Police officer.[31][32]

In 2017 Crump announced the opening of a new law firm, Ben Crump Law, PLLC.[33]

In 2018, Crump represented the family of Zeke Upshaw in a wrongful death suit after Upshaw, an NBA G League player, collapsed midgame and was delayed assistance by the NBA's paramedics.[34] Also in 2018 he became a Board Member for the National Black Justice Coalition.[35]

In 2019, Crump partnered with law firm Pintas & Mullins to hold a number of rallies in Flint, Michigan for communities affected by the Flint water crisis.[4] Also in 2019, Crump began representing a number of plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson alleging that the company's talc powder was directly related to said-plaintiffs' ovarian cancer diagnoses.[3]

In early 2020, Crump began working with the family of Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed 25-year-old African-American man killed by two white civilians.[36] Around this same time, the family of police shooting-victim Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old African-American woman, retained Crump for the family's lawsuit alleging excessive force and gross negligence by the Louisville Metro Police Department.[37]

In May 2020, Crump began representing the family of George Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed African-American killed by a Minneapolis Police Department officer after the officer detained Floyd in a chokehold by kneeling on Floyd's neck.[38] Derek Chauvin, the officer who killed Floyd, was initially charged with 3rd degree murder and 2nd degree manslaughter; however an additional 2nd degree murder charge was added ten days later, and the three officers also present at the scene were subsequently charged with "aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter."[39] In June 2020 Crump testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee about the George Floyd case and the discriminatory treatment of African-Americans by the U.S. justice system.

Documentary appearances

In April 2017, Crump appeared as an attorney on the American reality prime-time court show You the Jury, canceled after two episodes. Later, in December 2017, Crump investigated the murder of Tupac Shakur in the television documentary series Who Killed Tupac? The show narrates an investigation led by Crump, who works with Tupac's brother, Mopreme Shakur.[40] In 2018, Crump hosted a documentary television series on TV One called Evidence of Innocence.[41] The show focused on people who served at least a decade behind bars after being wrongfully convicted of a crime. Crump hoped to "impact the larger society about these larger matters so they can be aware when they go into the courtroom as jurors".[42]

Bibliography

  • Crump, Benjamin L. "Ben Crump — the Man Who Represented the Families of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, and Tamir Rice — Will Not Stop Fighting for Justice." NowThis.[43] 2018.
  • Crump, Benjamin L. "Every Black Person Has Had A 'Starbucks Moment'".[44] HuffPost, April 21, 2018.
  • Crump, Benjamin L. "After Stephon Clark's Death, Chock and Mourning in Communities across the Nation."[45] USA Today, March 29, 2018.
  • Crump, Benjamin L. “Stand Your Ground Is a License to Kill. Repeal It.[46]” Miami Herald, February 5, 2018.
  • Crump, Benjamin L. “Libyan Slave Trade Perpetuates The Commodification of Black Bodies.[47]” HuffPost, January 5, 2018.
  • Crump, Benjamin L. "Civil Rights Resolutions for a Better America in 2018".[48] CNN, January 2, 2018.
  • Crump, Benjamin L. "The Unsolved Murder of Tupac Shakur Speaks To The Black Male's Experience Nationwide".[49] HuffPost, December 12, 2017.
  • Crump, Benjamin L. “Trump's Response To Charlottesville Was Far Too Little And Way Too Late.[50]” HuffPost, August 15, 2017.
  • Crump, Benjamin L. "Only A Just America Will Be A Truly Great America".[51] HuffPost, January 15, 2017.
  • Crump, Benjamin L. "Benjamin Crump: Seven Deaths Cannot Be In Vain".[52] TIME, July 8, 2016.
  • Crump, Benjamin (April 20, 2015). "Will America now challenge the standard police narrative?". United States. Crime. Time. 185 (14) (South Pacific ed.): 22. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |authormask= (help)

References

  1. ^ Hicks, Johnathan P. (April 18, 2012). "Trayvon Family's Lawyer, a Career Steeped in Civil Rights Cases". BET.
  2. ^ "Oklahoma Tulsa Police Shooting". CNN. September 20, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Dawn, Onley (February 26, 2019). "Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump goes after Johnson and Johnson for marketed baby powder to Black women". The Grio. The Grio. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Flint Crisis Ben Crump". Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  5. ^ McLaughlin, Kelly (June 3, 2020). "The man representing the families of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor said he takes on the biggest cases so he can 'help the Davids of the world take on the Goliath'". Insider. Insider. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  6. ^ The Grio (March 30, 2012). "Benjamin Crump: Martin family lawyer known for civil rights cases". thegrio.com.
  7. ^ "Trayvon Martin Family Lawyer Is Versed In Civil Rights Cases". newsone.com. March 30, 2012.
  8. ^ a b Barbara Ash; Florida State University Law Review (2006). "BEN CRUMP Seeking Justice for All: BEATING THE ODDS Ben Crump Winning the 'No-Win' Cases" (PDF). law.fsu.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-04-12.
  9. ^ Mark Schneider; Associated Press (March 30, 2012). "Martin family lawyer known for civil rights cases When Benjamin Crump got his first call from Trayvon Martin's father last month, the attorney counseled patience". startribune.com.
  10. ^ "Benjamin L. Crump – Parks and Crump Attorneys at Law". Parkscrump.com. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
  11. ^ @ShannonBream (2014-08-15). "Still surprises me whenever I look up and see my former law school classmate Benjamin Crump in the middle of a huge story #worldscollide" (Tweet). Retrieved 2020-04-11 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ "Ben Crump – Ben Crump". Retrieved 2019-11-19. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  13. ^ "TROOPER CLEARED IN SHOOTING". The Orlando Sentinel. The Orlando Sentinel. July 25, 2002. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  14. ^ Goodnough, Abby (October 13, 2007). "8 Acquitted in Death of Boy, 14, in Florida". The New York Times. The New York Times. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  15. ^ "Trayvon Martin Family's Lawyer Benjamin Crump Known For Civil Rights Cases". Huffington Post. March 30, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  16. ^ "Ronald Weekley Jr., skateboarder alleging excessive police force, hires Trayvon Martin family attorney". CBS News. CBS. August 22, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  17. ^ Romero, Dennis (August 30, 2012). "Alesia Thomas: Woman Dies in LAPD Custody Amid 'Questionable Tactics,' Police Say". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016.
  18. ^ a b Philips, Chuck (October 15, 2012). "What Happened to Alesia Thomas". Chuck Philips Post. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  19. ^ Romero, Dennis Romero (October 15, 2012). "LAPD's Alesia Thomas Beating Video Demanded By Attorney Benjamin Crump". LA Weekly. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  20. ^ Botelho, Greg (October 10, 2013). "LAPD officer charged with assaulting arrested woman, who later died". CNN. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  21. ^ Abdollah, Tami (15 October 2013). "Mary O'Callaghan Pleads Not Guilty To Felony Assault". The Huffington Post.
  22. ^ Swaine, Jon (12 August 2014). "Michael Brown shooting: police use teargas to crack down on protesters". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  23. ^ Blackburn, Doug (August 15, 2014). "Friends of Brown family called on civil-rights lawyer". USA Today. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  24. ^ Cadet, Danielle (August 11, 2014). "Benjamin Crump Representing Michael Brown's Family After Teen's Fatal Shooting". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  25. ^ Richardson, John H. (July 10, 2019). "Black Lives Lawyer Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, Tamir Rice — Ben Crump is trying to turn a protest movement into a legal crusade". NY Mag. NY Mag. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  26. ^ Feeney, Nolan (February 25, 2015). "Family of Pasco Police Shooting Victim Hires High-Profile Civil Rights Attorney". Time. Time. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  27. ^ "Kendrick Johnson Update: "It's a real-life murder mystery," atty Benjamin Crump says of Ga. teen's gym mat death". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  28. ^ "Kendrick Johnson probe: Attorney exits mark shift - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  29. ^ Robles, Frances; Hauser, Christine (22 October 2015). "Lawyers Provide Details in Police Shooting of Corey Jones in Florida". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  30. ^ Mower, Lawrence (August 28, 2016). "Corey Jones shooting: Six key points made by Jones family attorneys". Palm Beach Post. Palm Beach Post. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  31. ^ Stack, Liam (September 19, 2016). "Video Released in Terence Crutcher's Killing by Tulsa Police". The New York Times. The New York Times. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  32. ^ CNN
  33. ^ Digital Journal
  34. ^ Winfield, Kristian (May 30, 2018). "Family of Zeke Upshaw files wrongful death lawsuit against NBA, Pistons, and Grand Rapids Drive". SB Nation. Vox Media. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  35. ^ "National outcry for tragic killing of Ahmaud Arbery". Atlanta Daily World. Atlanta Daily World. May 7, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  36. ^ Collins, Sean (May 26, 2020). "The killing of Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed black jogger in Georgia, explained". Vox. Vox. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  37. ^ North, Anna (June 3, 2020). "The protests over Breonna Taylor's shooting death, explained". Vox. Vox. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  38. ^ Fieldstadt, Elisha (June 2, 2020). "George Floyd's family was told other officers 'will be charged' following autopsy results, lawyer says". NBC News. NBC. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  39. ^ Campbell, Josh; Sidner, Sara; Levenson, Eric (June 4, 2020). "All four former officers involved in George Floyd's killing now face charges". CNN. CNN. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  40. ^ Clarkson, Brett. "Who killed Tupac Shakur? Florida attorney investigates in A&E series". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  41. ^ Shadowandact.com
  42. ^ Waters, TaMaryn (December 11, 2019). "Civil-rights attorney Ben Crump hosts new television series 'Evidence of Innocence' tonight". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  43. ^ "NowThis". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-07-12.
  44. ^ Crump, Benjamin (April 21, 2018). "Every Black Person Has Had A 'Starbucks Moment'". HuffPost. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  45. ^ Crump, Benjamin (March 29, 2018). "After Stephon Clark's death, shock and mourning in communities across the nation". USA Today.
  46. ^ Crump, Benjamin (February 5, 2018). "Stand Your Ground is a license to Kill. Repeal it". Miami Herald. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  47. ^ Crump, Benjamin (January 5, 2018). "Libyan Slave Trade Perpetuates The Commodification of Black Bodies". HuffPost. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  48. ^ Crump, Benjamin (January 2, 2018). "Civil rights resolutions for a better America in 2018". Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  49. ^ Crump, Benjamin (December 17, 2017). "The Unsolved Murder Of Tupac Shakur Speaks To The Black Male's Experience Nationwide". HuffPost. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  50. ^ Crump, Benjamin (August 15, 2017). "Trump's Response To Charlottesville was Fra Too Little And Way Too Late". HuffPost. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  51. ^ Crump, Benjamin (January 15, 2017). "Only A Just America Will Be A Truly Great America". HuffPost. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  52. ^ Crump, Benjamin (July 8, 2016). "Benjamin Crump: Seven Deaths Cannot Be In Vain". TIME. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
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