Pastor D Disqualified From Mayor’s Race
Reporting by the NJ this afternoon — the NCCo Department of Elections has made its ruling that Pastor D is not a qualified candidate for Mayor of Wilmington.
Delaware’s Constitution prohibits a person convicted of an infamous crime from “holding any office of trust, honor or profit.” The Elections Department acted after receiving advice from the state Department of Justice.
Though Johnson received a gubernatorial pardon after pleading no contest to killing a man in the 1970s, Albence said the decision was based upon the conviction of infamous crimes.
Each time I’ve seen Pastor D speak in public (debates mostly) during this race, he hints at this outcome. So I don’t think it is a surprise, even though the NJ reports that Pastor D is thinking of an appeal. I’ve often said that I think that he is in this race for reasons other than being Mayor and his fierce advocacy of people in Wilmington that don’t normally get that kind of advocacy is the hint. I hope he does appeal and I hope figures out a way to stay in the conversation. While I don’t think that he would be an especially good Mayor, I do think that he is helping to focus the conversation on some vital issues.
Tags: Mayor Race, Wilmington
No huge loss.
He was just a big political sideshow anyway.
Another self-promoting windbag who gained power through Jeebus. Oh, and a CONVICTED MURDERER. But all is forgiven Jeebus Jeebus Jeebus praise the Lord fill my wallet hah ha suckers. Oooh lookatmeeee!!!!!
Sorry not a murderer just a manslaughterer. Killer either way.
What does a pardon mean legally and practically if this decision is valid?
Apparently it means that you are back in the world as a full citizen unless you want to hold office in Delaware. But officially, I don’t really know what it means.
And for the people who would just dismiss him because of his record, you should learn something about what he is involved with. He did his time and did the work to get his pardon.
The law says convicted. He was convicted. I think he could have applied for a total expungement to have wiped it all off – but not sure.
He still killed another human. I have trouble getting past that. Jesus does not wipe away criminal convictions.
LIke MItt Romney?
That’s core convictions, not criminal ones.
I don’t know the specifics of Pastor D’s conviction, so I can’t comment on it.
However, I do know a man in his 50s who was convicted of manslaughter. This man was home on leave from the Marine Corps. He & the “victim” got into a fistfight. My friend dropped the victim w/ one punch. The victim hit his head as he was falling & died. My friend spent 3yrs. in jail as a result of one punch. His father paid nearly $100k to get his sentence commuted. He’s still a convicted felon & he has difficulty finding anything other than menial jobs as a result of his conviction.
Long story short–sometimes killing another person does not equal murder or even manslaughter.
Back in the world as a full citizen? But that means he can’t run for office? What else can’t he.do? Vote? I’m wondering if a pardon in DE is an empty gesture.
Dana, the only thing that I’m clear about here is that while Pastor D has his pardon (one he received well after he served his prison time), that pardon doesn’t seem to do anything to counter the state’s prohibition against persons convicted of an “infamous” crime. The pardon does not cancel out the conviction, it is a forgiveness of sorts. I think that Pastor D can indeed vote.
And while Pastor D did indeed kill someone when he was much younger, I think that doing your time, doing the considerable work to get a pardon AND spending a life outside of prison working to keep people off of the path you were on and helping others get on a better path certainly is the sign of someone who has paid his debt (and continues to pay his debt) to society. Pastor D has issues, and I don’t think he would make a good Mayor, and there are plenty of places where he and I disagree on the issues, but he is still someone working everyday to help people make better choices.
Oh my goodness, what will we do?!
There is also a debt owed to the family of the person he killed. I’d be very interested in hearing what they think about this rabble-rouser.
From today’s TNJ:
Although Gov. Jack Markell in 2009 pardoned Johnson of nine felonies — including a fatal 1978 shooting and a robbery from 1992 — Deputy Attorney General A. Ann Woolfolk said “the law is clear that a pardon for infamous crimes does not restore the right to run for public office.”
This guy was a criminal for 14 years. That’s a fucking career, not some youthful accident. He killed another person. And he expects that finding Jesus and praying over some poor dead teenagers gunned down by people like him makes it all better? This guy realized that the church was a path to power after he got out of prison. He’s nothing more than an opportunist. Oh, and a killer. In case you forgot.
Ask him what it was like to pull the trigger and kill that man. A rush, I’ll bet. Almost as much of a rush as standing at a pulpit or a rally and realizing that he’s got these stupid suckers eating out of his hand. Mayor Manslaughter has a nice ring to it …
And he expects that finding Jesus and praying over some poor dead teenagers gunned down by people like him makes it all better?
You should take the opportunity to follow him around for a week or so to see what he is working at changing. He didn’t kill somebody and come out to spike the ball. And he has spent more than 14 years working at changing the part of the world that produced the youthful Pastor D.
But then, you wouldn’t recognize someone working at changing the circumstances that actually got him in trouble. This is worthy and hard work — and work he didn’t need to do. Pastor D never met a camera he didn’t like. But there is an awful lot of work he does (and does even for the local PDs) that never get recorded. He got himself out of the cycle and that is its own achievement. But you are probably one of those people who think that criminals should always be shunned from society. Which, of course, just produces more criminals. With any luck, they’ll be in your neighborhood where they can help to reinforce your stereotypes.
I’ve followed around people who do far more important, impactful work than this wannabee Al Sharpton who get zero credit for their work – oh, and who didn’t capitalize on their criminal past to gain fame, fortune and power. The day this killer became a go-to source for a lazy News Journal reporter is a day Wilmington will regret forever.
He is a killer, Cassandra. I find it very difficult to celebrate this guy as a leader.
It is unlikely you’ve ever observed up close and personal this kind of work. And certainly you don’t know what Pastor D does, because you wouldn’t be quite so dismissive of the work or the fact that he turned his life around.
It’s unlikely you know anything about me. So go stuff it.
“I’ve followed around people who do far more important, impactful work than this wannabee Al Sharpton who get zero credit for their work”
Names, please. Or at least examples.
“It’s unlikely you know anything about me.”
Don’t be silly. You’ve already shown everyone that you’re a judgmental, self-righteous asshole. You don’t know jack shit about the man — all you know is that he was a career criminal, yet you know EXACTLY what caused his conversion from killer to pastor, and that it was false.
Go stuff it yourself. Oops, you already did.
Yep, that’s me. Judgemental and self-righteous. Kind of like the judgemental and self-righteous people here who declare that Derrick Johnson has served his time and paid his dues, without pausing to give two thoughts to the man he killed or the family he left behind. Right?
I have never met Derrick Johnson, nor do I care to. What I know about him I have learned from the press coverage and his own website. There are several salient points. First, he killed a man and was convicted of multiple other felonies. Second, he experienced a conversion experience at some point, and turned his mind to the ministry after leaving prison. Third, he is a self-promoter of the highest degree, putting himself at the center of every conversation.
But let’s not take my word for it. Let’s look at his own words, shall we? This is how this killer describes himself on his church’s own website (condensed for readabililty):
He is an agent of change! He is the most successful subject of the Crest Program! He is one of the most sought after speakers/leaders of the youth generation! He has natural born leadership and charisma! He has shared the stage with Bill Cosby! He has been called a modern-day MLK and the “Obama of Wilmington”! He is the go-to person for decreasing violence and gang activity in Wilmington! He has advised presidential staffers and congressmen! He has won lots of awards!
As far as I know, neither King nor Obama KILLED A MAN, you stupid dumbshit asswipe. That takes some huge fucking testicles.
Maybe I am judgemental. In my own mind, I am just not willing to instantly accept a religious conversion at face value, especially one that results in personal power and influence. You’ve got to prove it, and all Derrick Johnson has proved is that he’s a good quote, has a good story to tell and is an easily reachable source for the press.
—————
Examples: Homeless activists. Recovering drug addicts. People who work with sex offenders. Prison ministers and counselors. Offenders of all stripes, now freed, who spend time counseling those behind bars. Correctional officers. Police officers. Very, very few of the people I’ve met over the years seek the level of attention for their work as this SOB does. When they want people to sit up and take notice, it’s focused on the work and the people they’re helping, not themselves. They don’t instantly jump in front of a camera like this pathetic SOB.
I’ll be interested to see if he actually continues his quest and files suit to appeal the Elections decision, or if this was all another ploy to get attention.
Kind of like the judgemental and self-righteous people here who declare that Derrick Johnson has served his time and paid his dues, without pausing to give two thoughts to the man he killed or the family he left behind. Right?
You *do* know that it is the purpose of the justice system to mete out justice or punishment on behalf of society, right? If you have done your time, turned your life around, and have been working on behalf of people who are or were on the path you abandoned, he has more than surpassed what society has demanded of him.
No doubt that he can be showy and flamboyant and attention-seeking, but there is an awful lot of work that he does that he doesn’t seek or get credit for. Some of it on behalf of the WPD.
He has proven that he is trying. And he is trying in ways that many of Wilmington’s “premier” pastors would never do. And if you would get off of your knee jerk judgementalism and go see what’s up, you might have something to speak from. So, yes, we do know something about you — that you would judge someone from a bunch of NJ quotes. A NJ whose business it is to get juicy quotes from people.
Fool.
Pastor D can talk the talk, but can he walk the walk?
I guess he forgot the stuff about HUMILITY from ther Bible.
Its always all about him.
And I imagine you’ve forgotten the bit about casting the first stone.
And what was the bit about forgiving your brother 70 times 7?
Seriously, if you are here showily passing judgement on someone, you need to rethink using the Bible as your backup.
ps. Pick a name — Jack or JJ — and stick with it. Sockpuppetry is not allowed here.
if you are here showily passing judgement on someone
Uhm … isn’t that what all of you main-page posters do, every single day, in almost every one of your posts? (Excepting the ones with weird photos or music.)
Pot, meet Kettle.
If you have done your time, turned your life around, and have been working on behalf of people who are or were on the path you abandoned, he has more than surpassed what society has demanded of him.
That’s wonderful. But that doesn’t mean that I personally forgive him. It doesn’t mean I’d invite him into my church, synagogue or mosque and ask him to lead the congregation in prayer. It doesn’t mean I’d welcome him into my home for dinner. It definitely doesn’t mean I’d vote for him for mayor. It doesn’t mean I can’t call him a son of a bitch asshole who killed another man. It doesn’t mean that just because you bleeding hearts have fallen in love with his tale of redemption and have been taken in by his public persona I somehow have to trust him.
No doubt that he can be showy and flamboyant and attention-seeking, but there is an awful lot of work that he does that he doesn’t seek or get credit for.
Name some, if you don’t mind.
So, yes, we do know something about you — that you would judge someone from a bunch of NJ quotes. A NJ whose business it is to get juicy quotes from people.
His public image is the one he put out on his website, cassandra. I didn’t rely on any newspaper quotes for that. That’s what this opportunistic manipulator really thinks of himself – that he’s the next MLK or the Obama of Wilmington. We don’t need someone with that giant of an ego in normal circumstances, let alone when the person is a convicted felon and killer.
Cassandra – in your original post, you said:
I do think that he is helping to focus the conversation on some vital issues.
I’m rather curious – What issues is Derrick Johnson focusing the conversation on that other candidates are not addressing?
– I think everyone in the state knows that violent crime is a problem.
– I also think everyone knows that Wilmington is home to a substantial number of people who think that it’s OK to shoot other people, often in the pursuit of money or drugs.
But no one seems to have a clue what to do to stop that, and I’m very unclear what Johnson brings to the table on the awareness front that other elected officials, former administration officials and ex-cops don’t already know.
Is it that the perpetrators are often black? Do the cops not realize that? Is it that the thugs are young men, many unemployed without parents in the picture? Do the politicians not understand that without Pastor D explaining it to them?
“Oh, thanks, Rev, we didn’t realize the racial, generational, economic and familial dimensions of the problem. Thanks for helping us clear that up! We’ll be able to solve it now.”
Why are you so gung-ho about Mayor Manslaughter remaining in the race?
I’m rather curious – What issues is Derrick Johnson focusing the conversation on that other candidates are not addressing?
I’ve written on a couple of the debates so far. It is all there.
Uhm … isn’t that what all of you main-page posters do, every single day, in almost every one of your posts?
You’re the one making an issue out of this. Not only with your showy and empty condemnations, but also by claiming that we don’t know you well enough to judge you. Which is funny, because I’m making the same point about Pastor D to you, yet here you are all bent out of shape because of it.
Why are you so gung-ho about Mayor Manslaughter remaining in the race?
I’m not, but appreciate the fact that you now need a couple or three strawmen in order to pretend you have a point.
I hope he does appeal and I hope figures out a way to stay in the conversation.
Really? You’re not?
I know what Pastor D tells me, in his own words. That’s enough evidence for me. You really know nothing about me.
I’ve often said that I think that he is in this race for reasons other than being Mayor and his fierce advocacy of people in Wilmington that don’t normally get that kind of advocacy is the hint.
Are you really thinking that I don’t know what I write? Seriously?
And since he doesn’t speak to you then I can’t imagine you have much evidence. But hey. I noticed that too.
Respectfully, here are his words:
http://www.joshuaharvestchurch.org/Pastor-Derrick-Johnson.html
Read the Bible
Ok..he lost ,so what …God is real and he is one of the many examples that our Father loves us enough to forgive.You people act as if any this would directly effect you,focus on your own Life.
My opinion……. The County commissioner of Elections does not have the statutory authority to disqualify. I suspect there will be an automatic review.
Youngman: Matthew 5:38.
JP: So who would have the statutory authority, then? Wilmington’s charter explicitly gives elections authority to the county board.
Opinion…. State elections Commissioner
And for those following along (and who already know this), SW is still cherry-picking, this time from Matthew:
(5:38)You have heard that it was said: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ (5:39) But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil, but if anyone will have struck you on your right cheek, offer to him the other also.And anyone who wishes to contend with you in judgment, and to take away your tunic, release to him your cloak also.And whoever will have compelled you for one thousand steps, go with him even for two thousand steps.Whoever asks of you, give to him. And if anyone would borrow from you, do not turn away from him. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and you shall have hatred for your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who persecute and slander you. In this way, you shall be sons of your Father, who is in heaven. He causes his sun to rise upon the good and the bad, and he causes it to rain upon the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Do not even tax collectors behave this way? And if you greet only your brothers, what more have you done? Do not even the pagans behave this way? Therefore, be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Context is everything. And even the Bible doesn’t have much meaning — and certainly not the meaning folks intend for it — in cherry picked sentences.
“the judgemental and self-righteous people here who declare that Derrick Johnson has served his time and paid his dues, without pausing to give two thoughts to the man he killed or the family he left behind. Right?”
By this logic, slagging Derrick Johnson somehow comforts his victim’s family. The victim’s rights stance is the last refuge of emotion-mongers without a reasoned argument to make.
“that doesn’t mean that I personally forgive him. It doesn’t mean I’d invite him into my church, synagogue or mosque and ask him to lead the congregation in prayer. It doesn’t mean I’d welcome him into my home for dinner.”
In short, you’re saying you’re not a Christian.
Look, I don’t like the guy, I didn’t want him in the mayor’s race, and I consider him a self-promoter, too (though to be fair, I don’t know many storefront ministers who aren’t self-promoters).
And yet, even though I feel that way, I think your position is offensive and indefensible. Just sayin’.
Pastor D is a huge distraction to the real issues facing the city regarding the Baker/ Montgomery 11 years of incompetence.
Time for a fresh start!
I know another man who was convicted of murder at the age of 17. He got out of jail at age 40 and has worked tirelessly, and quietly, to improve the lives of young men caught in a cycle of poverty and violence. He never seeks to bring attention to himself and he clearly still feels guilt and shame for his past actions. This is my problem with Derrick Johnson. Every time he talks, he talks about himself. IMO, he capitalizes on his own wrong actions and he brings attention to himself more than to the issues. I do know him and I feel city politics are way better off withhout him involved!
Well said. We’re supposed to be a nation of laws, not a nation of emotions.
Couldn’t you say that about at least 70% of politicians in office today? They are, by necessity, shameless self-promoters. They also trot out Jeebus (or whatever their faith is) & ‘Merica constantly. This is especially true of southern & midwestern politicians.
“In short, you’re saying you’re not a Christian.”
I never claimed to be. I didn’t know a religious test was required to comment here, dipshit.
While there is a religious connection, either by the passage of judgment on him by others or his own work after his pardon/jail, a fundamental question remains that has nothing to with religion:
Does our society offer redemption for those who violated society’s laws, paid the penalty, and subsequently wish to reinstate their membership in that society as a productive member? Further, are there limits to renewing one’s membership in society or does one always remain a restricted member?
It seems to me that there are some violations that are so heinous that reinstatement is all but impossible but would reinstatement be conditioned on the circumstances of the violation?
I thought long and hard on this.
My conclusion: If my mother killed someone.. Then got pardoned… that pardon wouldn’t mean the crime never occurred; it meant for whatever reason, she’d served out her punishment for that crime…
Now if she was mis-accused, like blamed for a crime done by someone else, sentenced because of planted evidence pointing to her, and was then released because proof existed that she’d been innocent, that would be a different story.
Furthermore, if she was imprisoned for acts of sabotage, and then held for 27 years, despite repeated petitions for her release, I’d probably upon her release, vote for her to lead the country through the dismantling of apartheid….
Of these three scenarios, it makes sense for the first perpetrator to be barred from holding office. What then, is she going to do the first time someone cusses her out? Kill them? Exactly why we can’t put people convicted of crimes into offices. No matter how completely honest they are now, or how completely rehabilitated they seem, no matter how religious they purport to be… simply doing so, putting a former pardoned criminal in office, by that very fact alone, demeans the value of the office.
“Oh,… that office means so little, they’re putting known criminals in there now…”
So, you can’t.. you just can’t.. It is not a blemish on the character of the person appealing the judgment. They could be outstanding. It is for the respect of the office, that such laws are made….
Memory is always as long as it is expedient. The reason that very law is on the books, is because, back before that law was created, it WAS tried before, it didn’t work, and majority of people said, “let’s make sure it doesn’t happen again”….
Now… this is my own mom I’m talking about! If I can’t rationalize putting my own mom into office based on the fact that she was pardoned of a crime that normally would make her ineligible, then how can I make such amends for a stranger?
If I can’t justify my mom to do it; neither can I for Pastor D.
But, if he wants to go back to jail and stay for the rest of some 27 years, when he gets out, that will be a whole different ball game.