Stop Snitching? Family decries senseless street law that cost man his life

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Family decries senseless street law that cost man his life

KINGSTON — More than 50 people gathered Thursday night around a memorial of photos and candles on Cedar Street because a 21-year-old man acted against the most senseless law of the streets.

Charles "C.J." King saw a crime on Nov. 21 and told police.

But in the streets they saw it like this: C.J. King was a snitch.

"The whole irony of this is that he ratted out all these kids, which is why they killed him," said Sandra Phillips, King's grandmother, who wept near the streetside memorial with other family.

City police say King was gunned down Tuesday night by 22-year-old Trevor Mattis because King testified against Mattis' brother in another shooting last fall. Mattis, of Poughkeepsie, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He was already on parole for a robbery conviction in which he punched a Kingston woman in the face and stole her money, police said.

Three Kingston residents were also charged Tuesday with felonies of criminal facilitation, or helping in the shooting of King. Police are still searching for a fifth suspect and the murder weapon, they said.

But as their investigation continues, police said potential witnesses are already freezing up because they fear they'll be punished in the streets, just like King was, for cooperating with police.

"Even the ones that are talking to us won't do it on the record, so to speak," said Detective Lt. Tim Matthews of the Kingston police. "They'll give us information on the QT, but they don't want to be seen as cooperating with police."

The cruel irony that King's grandmother mentioned is this: To have a strong case against his accused killer, police need witness cooperation similar to the way King helped them in a November shooting on Henry Street.

As friends, family and city residents gathered around King's flickering memorial Thursday night, some wondered how they could flip the street mantra around.

"This street mentality about don't snitch is garbage," said Moses Edwards, a chaplain who lives in Kingston. "We've gotta find a way to change it to 'If you see something, say something.'"

Don't snitch has become a law of the streets, but does it make any sense?  In this man's case, snitching cost him his life.  Was he a fool for doing what he did?  Is this kind of retaliation simply something that we as a society have to live with?  Is there a way to turn it around so that when people "see something" they "say something"?  How does this end?

[luckygamer05]

That's ridiculous.  I'm sure they might change some things about witnesses in court after this.

[KaramelSkinBeautii5]

It is senseless.....but people are not gonna come forward with any information regarding anything they have seen because they would be too afraid 2.

[muchacho de mierda]

i think they shouldnt show who the person is that snitched. juss call him or her unknown...

[Say whattt?!]

i agree. just have the person unknown...

[unexpected]

thats so sad,
& ridiculous
what fault do they have, their just trying to be a good citizen.
they shouldnt have to put their life on the line.

[TheDevilsDandruff aka BoogerSugar]

dont snitch if you see some sh-t going down and you dont need to be involved dont try to be a hero

[Not The Mama]

keep the persons identity confidential people should feel comfortable about going to authorities and telling them about something that they saw. I think that what happened was ridiculous and that it didn't need to happen

[SoldmySoul]

they do keep people identities a secret when they "snitch" that's not what people are afraid of its being seen going to the police for example walking into a police building.
i think people should be heros and try to brake this law but if ur gonna brake it make sure u know there may be death involved. The only way i think to beat this street law is to be smarter then streets.

[craccy]

Thats crazy its sad he died dough

[Ka$h A. Biggaveli]

i think the no snitching law should stay in effect

[im hunqry -___-]

dont snitch if you see some sh-t going down and you dont need to be involved dont try to be a hero

 okay but if he doesnt say anthing and lets say it was your mom tht got killed wouldnt you wanna kno who did it??
and if someone say it and didnt say it they go to jail.

[emsm2]

its sad that he was killed after doing the right thing.. people are going to be afraid to do the right thing if people are being killed because of it..
the police should of left it as anonomus but word always gets out thats how our world works.
The person should go to jail, and the family should know who did it.. He did the right thing, and it probably means a lot to the family.

[FlyingBrowny18]

thats razy. i hate how u could be penalized for telling the truth

[blahblahblah]

"stop snitching" is stupid.  If you witnessed a crime and you knew you had the chance to save more lives or stop something from reoccurring why wouldnt you take that opportunity?.. i understand that in certain cases your life may be at stake which is why i feel if a person is brave enough to come foward and say what they witnessed theyre statement should be completely confidential and not publicized.  i guess it depends on the person and whether you can live with what you saw and what you did about it...