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Category:: Organizations - Non-Profit Organizations
Description:: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote these words in his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" in 1963. Forty-five years later, injustice still threatens us in Alabama.

Kapali Giridhar Swamy, 27, was killed November 18, 2007. He was punched in the face by Christopher Brett Pennington, and he died within moments in the middle of a Cullman County, Alabama street.

The details of the events leading to the crime are as follows. Three individuals—Kapali Swamy, Gina Gonzalez, and Christopher Brett Pennington were driving to Pennington's residence shortly after 6am on 11/18; Kapali was kindly giving Pennington a ride home from a night out in Birmingham. Apparently, during the drive and after stopping the car, Kapali and Gina became involved in a heated verbal argument. Once they exited the car the argument continued, at which time Pennington approached Kapali. Words were exchanged, and then a verbal confrontation escalated to a physical one when Pennington threw the first and only punches. Pennington punched Kapali--apparently twice. Kapali instantly fell to the ground and was found to be pulseless and without any signs of life when emergency medical personnel arrived a few minutes later. Pennington's right fist was bruised, but his body was without any other signs of an altercation. Gina and a third party witness both assert that Kapali did not touch either Pennington or Gina.

The evidence of the case is as follows:
1) The alleged perpetrator fully confessed to punching Kapali in his statement to police.
2) Witnesses confirmed that Kapali did not initiate any physical conflict.
3) The autopsy confirmed the cause of Kapali's death as massive brain hemorrhage and brainstem herniation, the direct result of "homicide."

Yet in January of 2008, a Cullman, Alabama grand jury inexplicably decided -- in a closed hearing -- not to indict Pennington on any charge which included involuntary manslaughter (a felony) and criminally negligent homicide (a misdemeanor). Basically the Grand Jury decided there was no need for a trial since in their eyes no crime was committed. Therefore Brett will not stand trial for his actions and thus walks away free without any legal consequence.

Even at face value one can appreciate the travesty that has transpired here, with a young man robbed of life and his assailant set free. But those who know Kapali recognize the full depth of this loss and subsequent injustice.

Kapali was a singular personality, the kind of man nobody forgets and everyone loves. He was a gentle soul that could touch and inspire anyone he met, regardless of age or background. He was loved by innumerable people from all walks of life, and the world is a darker place without him in it.

Kapali being an outsider may have played a part in the handling of the case by the local media. To illustrate this point, we can note that the local newspaper—The Cullman Times—printed a series of completely unsubstantiated stories in which they described Kapali as threatening and even pushing down both Gina Gonzalez and Brett Pennington. In one of the severely flawed iterations of their story, they even went so far as to quote the principle investigator of the case as saying that Kapali punched Brett Pennington to the ground. Yet despite this newspaper continually misrepresenting the case and assailing Kapali’s good name, they failed to print any corrections; the local media continued to insinuate that the whole event had amounted to a case of self-defense on the part of Brett Pennington, even though the perpetrator did not have a single mark on his body except the bruised fist he used to kill Kapali, and two independent witnesses insist that Kapali did not touch Pennington.

That justice has not been granted for Kapali’s loss is not something we can tolerate. For any thinking, feeling individual, this outcome is unconscionable. We therefore are fighting for an indictment and conviction of Kapali's assailant...he must be held criminally responsible for his actions. But for this, we need your help.

By joining this group you are showing support for justice, truth, and Kapali.

Dear All,

We know many of you are keeping up with what is happening with Kapali's case. Please know that everyone's comments and suggestions are being read and considered. Kapali's death was tragic and still hurts us tremendously. We need to make sure that this type of loss does not happen to anyone else's family member. In the eyes of the law, the act of punching and killing a man over an argument should be a crime and should be punished as such. Because of Brett Pennington's decision to harm Kapali, his punches killed Kapali and took away his bright future. Brett Pennington should be held responsible for his actions. The purpose of the law is to protect people and prevent further crime and injustice. We are taking on this mission for the good of all of us. Please continue to send your thoughts and ideas.

Please send letters to anyone you think might have some power in giving us a second chance at getting justice for Kapali.

Please continue to send the Petition link to as many people as possible.
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/justice-for-kapali-swamy.html

JUSTICE FOR KAPALI RALLY

The Rally was a Success. We obtained coverage from 3 local TV networks in addition to Birmingham’s major newspaper.

We need everyone’s help in contacting their Congress person/State Legislator. Please ask them to write and enact stricter laws that punish assailants when a death is due to a punch.

Please view the link below to see TV coverage of the rally.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPkuJqFqvpI

Thank you to everyone who attended the rally and to all those who could not attend but helped make the rally possible. Kapali was so lucky to have so many great friends. (read less)
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote these words in his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" in 1963. Forty-five years later, injustice still threatens us in Alabama.

Kapali Giridhar Swamy, 27, was killed November 18, 2007. He was punched in the face by Christopher Brett Pennington, and he died within moments in the middle of a Cullman County, Alabama street.

The details of the events leading to the crime are as follows. Three individuals—Kapali... (read more)
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