To: Sidney Dorsey

By Burvena Brown – August 15, 2002 (Mother of slain Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown) While my statement was written especially for your ears, Mr. Dorsey, it is not for your ears only.  It is for everyone in and outside of this courtroom that for the past 19 months all have but ignored the statements that I have made regarding my son’s murder and the corruption in Dekalb County.  I know that you know exactly what I’m talking about when I say the jail and beyond.  My son and I were very close.  For those here and outside the courtroom, that for the past 19 months have treated me as though the child I raised with a strong sense of purpose, dropped out of the sky just as he died, I have a few memories to share as only a loving mother can. For those that have lied about their relationship with my son and the circumstances under which he left one sector of service in Dekalb County to move to another, I commit to you that the truth will be known and those that have lied will be exposed for the liars that they are.  I know that you weren’t alone in your disdain for my son. I have been writing this statement since the day after your conviction Mr. Dorsey.  My children are hearing it for the first time because there are things that they would not want me to say.  However, on this day, as I pray that justice will be served, I am going to spread my wings like my son’s eagle and soar fearlessly.  I can because I taught him how to fly and raised up a man that with all your experience, influence, and political clout, you were scared of him to the point you’d conspire the death of him and ultimately self-destruct.  I am going to tell you of some of the memories of my son.

                         A Mother's Memories
Derwin was a happy child; he was a scout, sang in the choir, loved music, and took piano lessons.  Derwin wanted to be part of a band, so he formed an interracial band and called it “Purple Haze.”  I became their manager.  His father had a spiritual singing group and he couldn’t be two places at once.  At that time drugs were prevalent, so I was glad that I was there.  The last place the band played was Philharmonic Hall in New York and Geraldo Rivera was the MC.  I was so proud of them.  In the summertime, Derwin worked with the Department of Parks and Recreation, painted houses and for two years he worked at a home for boys in Long Island, New York.  When Derwin left us, he still had a heart to help young men.  Not in a boy’s home but in county jail that was not only corrupt, but negligent in meeting the needs of its inmates, as they had rights, even though they were incarcerated. Derwin took advanced classes in high school.  He went to his father one day, and asked his father if he’d pay for him to go to an academy in the summer so that he could graduate early.  Derwin did graduate early and went on to college without marching with his class.  He came out with a degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice.  He went into the Marines, came out, and he came to Atlanta to attend Atlanta University to work on his masters. Derwin was all about helping people and making a change for the better from very early on in life.  In explaining his reasons for wanting to get out of high school early and go on to college to his dad, he simply stated, “he had a lot to do in life.” Not long after Derwin’s passing, he and my deceased husband came to me in a dream.  I shared that dream with Chief Moody, Precinct Commander Maddox and Chief of Detectives Joyner.  When I told them about my dream, they looked at me like I was crazy.  The next time I saw them, they asked me if I had had any more dreams, and I said yes, but reminded them of the look they gave me upon mentioning my first dream.  They advised me that their look was that of disbelief, that I knew the things that I knew.  And I was right.  I told them I was giving them a check they could take to the bank and cash.  I’ll tell you what else I know; that no one, that took part in my son’s murder, whether they pulled the trigger or had the power of influence, to not only conceive, but try to cover up the conspiracy will escape justice.  NO ONE!  And just as I told the gentlemen, I’ll tell anyone within the sound of my voice --- They can take this check to the bank and cash it.  Joel 2:28 in my bible says, “And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.”  God speaks to me through dreams.  

Closing Statement

In closing, no one knows, unless they’ve lost a child, what I’ve been through since you murdered my son.  Fifty years ago, I had a head full of hair, three years ago, I had head full of hair.  Now, wrecked nerves have made my health decline and has taken my hair away, and I have to wear a wig.  There is now a hole where my heart used to be.  A hole that you’re responsible for, and I pray you never forget it.  I don’t hate you.  I can’t get into heaven hating you.  If I don’t get to heaven, I can’t be with my son again and I won’t let you rob me twice.  But I’m angry and I want you to get what you deserve.  God gives me the right to be angry and cry out for justice. As a woman of faith, one that knows the goodness of the Lord, I find it hard to imagine a heart so evil, so selfish, that in its own pursuit, it would not consider the devastation to the number of lives affected by the brutal death of a person so loving, and so loved as Derwin.  However, I know what is true and truth demands justice.  In that I have to suffer the rest of my life missing my son, experiencing the loss over and over --- like it was yesterday.  Knowing that his lifelong dream of service and purpose was cut short.  Your being sentenced to life imprisonment is not fair.  It’s JUST (according to society) but it’s not fair.  In the many still nights of the rest of your life, as you sit in your prison cell, I’m sure you’ll reflect on your actions and what God’s judgment will be for you as you pay society’s price for murder. He only knows.  But I know that He is more than fair, He is JUST and He will judge you for Derwin’s murder.  I understand that you lost your mother while you were imprisoned and for you to have gone so far in life, she had to have been a good mother.  Be thankful to God that she did not live to see her work, her hope, her son’s life fall to destruction by selfishness, greed and an evil that I’m so so very sure she had no part of.  Be thankful that she passed not knowing your shameful destiny.  Be thankful that you did not bring to her the lifelong pain and suffering you have given me.


BY RON BROWN - AUGUST 15, 2002 (Brother of slain Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown)

I would like to thank the court for giving me an opportunity to be heard during these proceedings.

Throughout the months since my brother Derwin was viciously murdered, I have often thought about those who are responsible.  And when I think about what was personally taken away from me (and there aren't enough words to sufficiently express that), I find myself taken away to a very dark place in my heart.

In this place there is hatred, vindictiveness, anger and selfishness, and God doesn't seem to exist there because mercy doesn't exist there.  This place is truly a very lonely place to be.  And then I am made aware of God's presence because he never allows me to linger too long there and be consumed by the darkness.

But I am also rescued by the spirit of my brother, my father, my grandfather and all of my ancestors who's blood runs through my veins.  It is they who remind me of who and what I am.  They remind me that I am a man who is a part of something infinitely bigger than myself.  They remind me of my responsibility to them, to our God, to our people, to this civilization and of course to myself.

Part of that responsibility is about striving to become the best person that I can be.  It is about doing whatever I can to aid in the liberation of my people from the oppressive forces of our society and our government, which is now in the process of slowly and decisively dismantling the democratic foundation upon which it was built.  My brother Derwin understood these responsibilities for they were also his.  And yes, this weak, pathetic, cowardly example of a man that is before this court today should also have assumed these responsibilities.  But instead, he chose to live perpetually in the darkest recess of his heart until he was consumed by the evil that dwells there.  He chose to align himself with the evil forces of corruption that plague this county's government.  He chose to commit the ultimate evil act and took the life of another human being.  He chose to murder my brother Derwin.

What I want this court and the people to understand is that Sidney Dorsey did not only take an exceptional man from his loved ones.  He took away the overwhelming voice of the people of this county.  He looked democracy in the face and said "you shall not be".  He destroyed the democratic process and in doing so, he took away a great hope....not only for this county but for this entire nation.  Anyone who truly knew my brother Derwin, what he stood for and the type of leadership that he represented, knows the impact he would have had on the whole of our society.  Now, that hope is gone and the status quo has been preserved....for now.

However, justice has indeed shown itself to be present during this trial and it is my hope that it continues to be present during this sentencing phase.  May justice stand tall without the hindrances of man and may it stand tall enough and reach high enough to touch all of those who consider themselves above the law.

To: Melvin Walker and David Ramsey
 
By Ron Brown-November 21, 2006 (Brother of Slain Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown)
 
First of all, I would like to thank the court for allowing me the opportunity to speak at this proceeding.  I wish to direct my remarks to the court and those who would listen and not to the cowardly murderers before us.
 
These individuals have demonstrated to me through their depraved and calculated acts of violence and the sheer arrogance of placing themselves above the law that they do indeed speak a different language.  Any attempt at imparting any thoughts I might have to them would be futile.
 
Your honor, as we enter the sentencing phase of this trial, I believe that it is very important for all of us to remember and consider why we are here and what was really taken from us.  We are here because a man named Derwin Brown had the courage of his convictions.  We are here because Derwin Brown, a public servant chose to speak truth to power and walk fearlessly into battle against the forces of evil, corruption and injustice.  We are here because Derwin Brown, the man who was elected by the people of Dekalb County to represent them as their sheriff, decided that he would not simply maintain the status quo as had been done in previous administrations in the Sheriff's Office.  In the capacity of his newly elected position he wanted to do what he did at every other level of his law enforcement career.  He wanted to make a profound difference.  He wanted to help create more transparency within the legal system and in the criminal justice system.  And most importantly, he wanted to bring accountability to the Office of the Sheriff's Department.
 
We are here because Derwin Brown made a promise to those who had elected him.  He pledged to expose and rid the Sheriff's Office of the corruption, inequities and abuses that have plagued it for the past 30 years, and had already been involved in the investigation process.  He wanted to bring honor and integrity to the Office of the Sheriff's Department.  And indeed he did, if only for a short moment in time.  For the promise of his new administration was not only embraced by his constituents, but also eagerly anticipated by the majority of the local law enforcement community.
 
It was the courage of his convictions and his sincere commitment to Justice that became the biggest threat to his enemies.  Not just the five characters we have all become familiar with in this case, but also those who remain faceless and nameless who have not only placed themselves above the law, but who have conspired to maintain their hold on power and protect their financial interests by any means necessary, including murder.  There will always be those such as these who will prey on those who are morally corrupt and void of any meaningful sense of humanity, who are willing to allow themselves to be compromised because of their own greed and selfish motives.
 
These two who now sit before this court have made their choice and must now confront the harsh reality and consequences of their actions.  They will quickly become the past and today as their sentences are handed down by this court, we must begin to look to the future.
 
When my brother's life was taken, all of those who participated in the decision to murder, the conspiracy to murder and the act of murdering him, did more than steal him away from those he loved and who loved him.
 
We as a family have lost a great patriarch, a son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and more.  However, the community which he so passionately served, has also been robbed of a true champion of justice.  And although Derwin has been killed in the physical sense by these perpetrators of evil, we must not let them kill his legacy.  Nobody should be able to kill what he worked and stood for.  He fearlessly sacrificed his life in the pursuit of truth and justice and we must never forget.
 
I applaud this court and those who have deliberated.  I especially applaud the men and women of the Justice Department and the various law enforcement agencies that have worked tirelessly and diligently to bring us to this very moment.  They too are also champions of Justice.  The legacy continues......LET JUSTICE BE SERVED.
 
************************************************
By Burvena Brown-November 21, 2006 (Mother of Slain Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown)
 
I've experienced a great deal of pain and anger for almost five years.  A pain so severe, that it seems that I, myself, have been dying a very slow death.  Sometimes, I feel an emptiness so deep, the void is so very great that only the beating of my heart reminds me that I am not hollow.  I will take this pain to my grave.
 
My health has deteriorated severely since the both of you violated my son's right to life.  The hate has gone, but I am still very angry that some mother's child found it fit to deprive me and my family of a life that I carried for nine months and loved, nurtured and guided for many years, my first born child, my son Derwin... a son that any mother would have been proud to call her own.  As I am sure that your mothers were proud of you when you developed as young men and appeared to aspire to noble causes.  Derwin, since a child, had always loved and aspired to live life fully, enjoying the arts and thriving to serve the needs of God's people.  An advance student from youth to adulthood, a mentor to troubled youth, and accomplished musician, a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and as the County of Dekalb knew him, a dedicated law enforcement officer.  These were just a few steps in the life long (or short, thanks to you Walker and Ramsey) journey of a committed Derwin Brown.
 
What I am feeling for you today, Walker and Ramsey, as you are to be sentenced for the murder of my son is not good.  The pain in my heart screams a life for a life.  But I sincerely desire that no mother suffer what I have suffered.  So my wish is that the two of you get life without the possibility of parole.  Can you imagine the pain you would feel Walker and Ramsey, if your child was murdered and the suffering you would go through, the suffering your mother's would experience if your lives were taken in the name of justice?
 
This is the end of a long fight.  The both of you were acquitted in the first trial.  Someone asked me how did I feel?  My response was "God had sent rain that evening, but he didn't send twelve bullets from the sky to kill my son and I will not rest until someone is held accountable for each and every one of those bullets that entered my son's body."  Derwin's two sisters, Renee and Wanda, his brother Ron, brother-in-law Giulio and myself worked diligently to get the U.S. Justice Department to take this case to trial.  I thank God for blessing us with a conviction.  Here and now, your accountability begins.  It's only right.
 
Under the U.S. Constitution, we are all entitled to a fair trial and a  vigorous defense.  The two of you have received both and fortunately the ferocity of your defense only served to strengthen the case against you.  Now the truth has been declared and now it is time for JUSTICE TO BE SERVED.
 
Walker and Ramsey, you bought into a lie when you aligned yourself with Sidney Dorsey.  You bought the lie that you were beyond the law and abused the rights of people because you were given a badge and a gun.  Walker, you so bought into the lie, that you were shocked when you were convicted.  You couldn't believe it.  But why not?  Convicted of a murder you committed.  It's only right!
 
I am sure that over the many years to come, you will sit in your jail cell and contemplate your thoughts and actions in my son's murder.  What could you have done differently?  What went wrong?  What went right?  You will probably seek God as you never have before.  I pray you do, for only in God will you find the peace and sanity needed to survive a lifetime in prison.  Only God can give you peace as you experience the loss and distance of your family or the threat of a law enforcer being surrounded by prisoners.  Or even other law enforcers that consider you a shame to the profession.
 
One other question you might have asked yourself is  "What could be the consequences of you prayerfully asking God to help you be successful in killing another human being?"  I don't know what God you were praying to when you and your associates prayed that prayer.  But I am a woman of the Christian faith and my God would consider this type of request an abomination.  My God is JUST.  And his response to such a request would be JUST by his law TODAY, TOMORROW or FOREVER.
 
We must all remember that it is not the way we love as husbands, wives, mothers or fathers that make our lives different - it's the choices we make and the options we exercise that sets us apart.