By Logan Johns\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The parents of 18-year-old Nolan Wells brought their demand for answers to the National Association of Black Journalists on Thursday, appearing at a panel discussion and news conference focused on the circumstances surrounding their son’s death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wells disappeared July 4 during a trip with friends to Horn Island, a barrier island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Searchers recovered his remains two days later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Authorities initially said they found no indications of foul play, but his parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley, say unanswered questions about the timeline, the accounts of those who were with him and the response to his disappearance warrant a more thorough investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Journalist and author Tiffany D. Cross moderated the NABJ panel and introduced Christine and Elmore Wonsley, who were joined by the Rev. Al Sharpton and civil rights attorney Ben Crump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNolan is, and was an incredible, I mean, just incredible soul,\u201d Christine Wonsley said, recalling him as a natural encourager who wanted the best for everyone. \u201cHe was the person who, no matter where you are in life, what was going on, he was gonna be your biggest cheerleader.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said she became alarmed after repeated calls to Nolan went unanswered. Around 11 p.m. July 4, one of the young men who had traveled with him called and said Nolan had remained alone on the island with a young woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elmore Wonsley said the account did not align with how he raised his son or what he knew about Nolan’s character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe know our child. And Nolan isn’t one to be like, \u2018Oh, well, I’m just gonna throw caution to the wind, and I’m gonna stay here with this girl that I just met,\u2019\u201d Wonsley said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The family also said they later learned Nolan’s friends had retrieved his car keys as well as his phone. Both parents said they found it extremely alarming that Nolan’s friends told them they had his belongings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy son would never do that, it’s not in his character. I didn’t raise any of my kids to [do that],\u201d Elmore Wonsley said. \u201cSecond thing is, you say he doesn’t have his phone. He always had his phone. I will wake up sometimes in the morning, and Nolan would have his phone all up in my face.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the panel, Elmore and Christine Wonsley appeared at an NABJ news conference with Crump, Sharpton and U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath to discuss pending updates in the investigation and the next steps. Sharpton opened the news conference by addressing gaps in what is known about the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow do you trust people that come back from something that happened and never really give you a straight story, what happened? When you have more questions than answers, you have to have people that will drive the answers out, and that’s what we do. And that’s why I’ve been involved,\u201d Sharpton said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McBath joined Crump and Sharpton in calling for an independent investigation. McBath’s son, Jordan Davis, was shot and killed Nov. 23, 2012, and she said the Wonsleys deserve the same opportunity for justice that she sought for her son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow did it happen? Why did it happen? This family stands here demanding answers. This family deserves answers. I myself sought the same justice for my son Jordan [that] they’re seeking for theirs, and they deserve answers,\u201d McBath said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crump and the other attorneys also criticized the harassment and threats the family has faced amid questions from the public about the case. Crump emphasized a distinction between knowingly spreading false information and journalists raising legitimate questions about matters of public concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat hurts us is the distortion thing done on the family, where they’ve harassed her and her job. And sent stuff to their house. \u2026 They only are trying to get justice for their son,\u201d Crump said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crump also called for prayers for the Wells-Wonsley family as next week would have been Nolan’s birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou heard how Elmore was working so hard, him and Nolan, [on] his football career. I mean, he had a good start, but this was really gonna be his year. I mean, so much hope, so much promise. And then July 4 came, and Fourth of July will never be the same to Christine and Elmore,\u201d Crump said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Wells’ family continues to call for the truth about what happened to their son, the central issue remains whether the investigation will provide the family with a credible account of what happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crump concluded the news conference by calling on the National Association of Black Journalists to report on issues that matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow more than ever, the fourth branch of government. We need you. NABJ, we need you now more than ever. This is about covering those stories, even when people who may run your news outlets don’t want you to cover the stories. We need you to give us a voice in the tradition of Ida B. Wells. We can’t have the police just writing the narratives and the reports,\u201d Crump said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need you all right in those narrative reports. And you got to challenge your white counterparts and say it. We need NABJ to write the reports in the narratives.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"