For Immediate Release:
August 28, 2002
Contact:
Kyle N. Quandel 212.340.9591
New York, NY: In a pioneering effort,
the family of Marcus Wayman-Sterling publicly speaks out against the police who
violated their son's privacy rights. The agony, pain and suffering of losing
Marcus to suicide by the warped and twisted beliefs of the police who "protect
and serve," bring Marcus' family together; speaking out for tolerance, sending a
clear message that the invasion of anyone's privacy is unethical, immoral and
moreover, illegal.
On Friday, August 23, 2002, the Sterling family
appeared on a local Pennsylvania newscast for an unprecedented and candid
interview. This comes at a time when national networks are vying for exclusive
rights to cover pre-trial issues (fall 2002).
Kyle N. Quandel (publicist
for the Sterling family) says, "It's time to show the public the profound
effects of losing a son to suicide, police misconduct and threats to 'out'
Marcus as being gay. Losing Marcus continues to have an intense affect on the
family."
In April 1997, in Minersville, PA, police officers approached
two teens, Marcus Wayman and a friend. The boys were in an abandoned parking lot
where they were turning their vehicle around.
After finding condoms on
the teens, the officers concluded they were "queers." Officer J. Scott Willinsky
states in court the boys said they stopped to have sex. The narrow-minded
officer threatened to tell Wayman's family and community that he was a 'fag' and
quoted biblical passages while placing them under arrest for underage drinking.
Wayman, a High School football player (scared that he would be "outed" as a
"fag" by police to the community and his deeply moral family) took a gun to his
head four hours later and shot himself. Marcus was 18.
Minersville thug
police (whose salary is funded through tax-dollars), concluded that two teen
boys
in a car
carrying condoms
were gay (Condoms = Queer?).
"My
heart has been torn out; my arms are empty from his huge bear hugs. I NEVER want
another mother to feel that her arms are left empty," says Madonna Sterling. "If
Marcus was gay, we wouldn't have loved him any less. The fact is we will never
get the opportunity to tell Marcus that: Minersville police took that right away
from us."
Madonna Sterling filed civil charges against Minersville police
officers - Police Chief Joseph Willinsky, son J. Scott Willinsky, claiming that
the officers violated her sons privacy rights. In November 2001, a jury
acquitted the police from any wrongdoing!
Thankfully, the presiding
Judge Arnold C. Rapoport concluded on June 17, 2002, that the trial was a clear
"miscarriage of justice," tossing the jury verdict and moved for a new trial,
expected this fall.
"This is an issue of privacy, police accountability
and tolerance. While officers must remain accountable for their actions, the
widespread message we are hoping to send, is to talk to your children now
before it's too late" says Quandel. "Marcus is dead; having thought suicide is
preferable to being labeled as gay. How many more children do we need to lose
before we begin to teach diversity and tolerance? This will send a clear message
to all parents. Teach your children tolerance and diversity. Acceptance of your
child begins at birth!"
"Missing
have you seen Marcus Wayman? Chances
are you haven't because police violated his privacy rights that prompted his
suicide." Quandel continues, "If that offends you, it should! This could happen
to your son, brother or friend just as easy as it did to
Marcus."