‘JUST RELEASE THE VIDEO’: Attorney Ben Crump announces independent autopsy, demands transparency in death of Kohen Wiley

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Ben Crump, a nationally recognized civil rights and personal injury attorney, is demanding transparency from authorities and has announced an independent autopsy in the death of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley.

“Justice for baby Kohen, justice for baby Kohen,” said Crump.

During Monday’s press conference, Kohen’s mother, Vellesyia Wiley, his father, Davion Williams, and other family members attended. Crump said the police report used the word “juvenile” to describe Kohen.

“He’s not a juvenile; he’s a one-year-old infant,” Crump said.

Crump said it is “unimaginable” that a call about the shoplifting of a box of diapers ended with police shooting into a moving vehicle.

“Kohen couldn’t run from anyone. Kohen couldn’t put his hands up. A one-year-old baby is not a threat to an officer with a gun,” Crump said. “They are going to try to make it seem as that they had to shoot.”

Crump said he does not want to rely on the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation for the autopsy and plans to have an independent autopsy performed.

“We want an independent autopsy to verify the facts, including the entry and exit wounds on Kohen’s body,” Crump said.

“The body camera video can be released today. Walmart needs to do the right thing and release the video, to allow this family to have peace,” co-counsel Van Turner said.

Turner is also asking store employees to come forward and share what they saw that day.

“I’m going to miss him. They took away so much. I was looking forward to graduation, the first day of school—so much they took away from us. That’s why we demand justice, because it’s not right,” said Kohen’s grandmother, Lassandra Williams.

“He’s all I had—my only and my first grandchild. I named him, and I watched Vellesyia love on that baby. What these people took from us can never be replaced. I’m hurt. I want justice. I want answers,” said Vellesyia’s mother, Veronica Roberson.

“Your baby is our baby,” Senantobia Community activist, Patrick Alexander

Alexander continued, mentioning other community members who were allegedly involved in an interaction with the Senatobia Police.

“We’ve got to have a backbone,” said Alexander. “Justice for baby Kohen, Justice for us all.”

Crump said Kohen’s mother Vellesiya Wiley has panic attacks almost every day.

“I watched my baby take his first breath and I watched my baby take his last breath. I’m still in disbelief about the traumatizing event,” said Wiley.

Kohen’s funeral will be held on Saturday, June 27. The family hopes to have the autopsy results by Wednesday.

Crump is asking the public to pray for Wiley’s family and stand in solidarity as they continue fighting for justice.

“It’s not about backing the blue. It’s not even about backing the back. It’s about backing the truth,” said Crump.

Crump added transparency and accountability equals trust and the longer law enforcement delays releasing the video, the less trust the community has.

Senatobia Police Department sent Action News 5 the same statement issued last Sunday on the day of the shooting, following the press conference Monday.

It stated the department is unable to release any information or evidence until the investigation has been completed.

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