Followup on Anthos Case
Direct from the Triangle Foundation:
The Detroit Police have given up, but we haven’t.
Neither has the Task Force.Tonight, Triangle Foundation staff and volunteers will be canvassing from 6-8 p.m. in an effort to find witnesses in the murder of 72-year-old, openly-gay Detroiter Andrew Anthos. Canvassers will talk with Andrew’s neighbors and with people at the bus stop near his home, asking if anyone saw anything the evening Andrew was attacked.
Our canvassers will be able to offer witnesses a powerful incentive. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has increased their reward from $5,000 to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Andrew’s murder.
“The Detroit Police never really investigated this case,” said Melissa Pope, JD, Director of Victims Services. “Since they haven’t, we will. We are committed to obtaining justice for Andrew and his family.”
Pope said that the recently-released report by the Wayne County Coroner’s office wasn’t sufficient evidence to close the case.
“The coroner’s report wasn’t conclusive,” said Pope. “The police claim that there were no witnesses, but they were able to come up with a suspect sketch based on a witnesses’ report. This just doesn’t add up.”
“Given Mr. Anthos’ deathbed statement and that of an eyewitness, the man who caused Mr. Anthos’ death is still at large. Since neither Mayor Kilpatrick nor Police Chief Bully-Cummings have given priority to this case, and the investigation has been dropped, we are increasing our reward to $25,000 to encourage other witnesses to come forward and bring the perpetrator to justice,” said Matt Foreman, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. “The Detroit Police Department’s mishandling of this case is an insult to the memory of Mr. Anthos, to his family, and to our national community. This is a glaring example of why we need a federal law that addresses hate-motivated violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.”
The canvass is part of Triangle’s ongoing investigation in the case.
How can I help?There are three ways you can help us pursue justice for Andrew Anthos and his family:
1. If you live in the area of Gratiot and Jefferson, east of Downtown Detroit or you ride the busses in that area, visit our Web site for a poster of the current suspect in this case. Print a few copies and put them up around town.
2. If you know people who live in that area of the city, forward this message to them.
3. Make a donation to Triangle Foundation to help us carry on this work.
Together, we will work to seek justice for Andrew Anthos and his family.