No Arrests in Racial Assault Against Kari Holmes

On April 25, I told you about a racially motivated assault against Kari Holmes, daughter of Deliverance Evangelistic Church International's pastor, Dr. Karen Holmes. According to a subsequent news account, two women and one man shouted racial slurs at Kari in east side Allentown, chased after her throughout Allentown's streets, cut her off, pulled her from her car and then began beating her while continuing to shout racial slurs. Political consultant Bar Johnston, who has known the Holmes' family for twenty years, claims Kari had the presence of mind to get good description of the suspects, including a first name. She even remembered three letters of the car's license plate as well as its make, model and color.

Erroneous Police Report

Despite the unusual detail that Kari retained, the Holmes family has dealt with a police officer who refused to shake hands with Kari and prepared an erroneous report that was originally misplaced. This faulty report eventually resulted in a letter to Allentown's police chief.

Dear Sir,

You are receiving this request that the Allentown Police Department Offense/Incident Report for Complaint # 08-30857 be corrected/amended or appended as it does NOT record NOR does it reflect my statement made to officer Todd Haldaman the morning of Thursday, April 24th in the least.

I clearly reported to the officer that I was the victim of an assault by individuals who I had no contact with whatsoever prior to them attacking me.

However, the officer incorrectly recorded 'victim stated she was assaulted after having an incident with another motorist.'

I clearly reported to the officer that the attack was perpetrated by not only the motorist, but the motorist and two [2] passengers, with varying degrees of involvement and increasing degrees of racial and sexual slurs, threats, and physical violence.

I clearly reported to the officer that I had scrapes and scratches, severe pain and visible swelling, in my neck, left shoulder, left elbow, lower back, left knee, left hand palm area, right calf, right knee and right ankle.

However, the officer recorded only 'minor swelling' in the 'right ankle.'

I clearly reported to the officer that I had blood on me that was not my own. I asked if that could be used to help identify any of the individuals.

However, the officer replied, 'no, this is simple assault, that kind of thing is not needed in this type of case.' And no indication of this is found anywhere in the faulty report.

I clearly reported to the officer that a Caucasian female, in her mid-twenties with long blond hair was the first individual to physically attack me.

However, the officer incorrectly recorded that I 'claimed to have been assaulted by an individual with [long] brown hair.'

I clearly stated to the officer that I would NOT refuse medical attention, but rather that I would POSTPONE medical attention…

However, the officer incorrectly recorded that I 'REFUSED medical attention.'

A number of other items were stated succinctly and directly that the officer recorded as the complete opposite. This incorrect and opposite record of my statement is creating a severe problem as it has prohibited your detectives from proceeding affectively [sic] and with a clear understanding of the facts in this case.

I have every confidence that you will address this matter promptly, and expect to hear from you by Thursday, May 1st, 2008 before the close of business [4:00pm] that my statement has been recorded correctly and attached in an addendum to the incorrect report that has been filed.

Thank you,

Kari E. Holmes

So far as I know, no action has been taken to correct any of the mistakes made by the officer who took the report.

Inconclusive Meeting with Mayor Pawlowski

Once of the reasons why Mayor Pawlowski is Mayor Pawlowski and not Mr. Pawlowski is because of the support he received from the Holmes family. He met with them on May 5, and this is how that meeting went, according to Dr. Holmes.

Mayor Pawlowski, several Allentown Human Relation Commissioners, Police Chief and two of his assistants, and several PA Human Relation Commissioners and others met to discuss two incidents: Kari Holmes' allegation of hate crime and Christopher Cabellini's allegation that his car was vandalized because of his sexual orientation. Kari recounted the incident and the follow-up to date. She asked that the initial police report be corrected since the officer gave several points directly opposite to what she told him. I asked that there be a policy or procedure to flag or alert to an amendment when an officer's report is incorrect. The mayor is not at all keen on any change in policy. The mayor and police chief assured Kari that they are doing everything according to procedures already in place to look into the discrepancies. The sincerity was evident. Sincerity is not likely to insure Kari's attackers come to justice. As it is, well-wishers found one of the attackers within an hour of knowing what the police have known for a week. This is just one of many indicators that present policy and procedure is drastically ineffective.

No Arrest

According to Dr. Holmes, police know who the attackers are, but have made no arrest. It may very well be that police have a lot of detail, but the decision to wait is probably prompted by a need to secure some evidence or get input from a prosecuting attorney.

What You Can Do

If you witness a "bias-related incident," you can report it here.