Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude

john lee cowell

News

Coronavirus Causes Judge to Declare Racist Murderer Legally Sane

A California judge took the extraordinary step of halting jury deliberations because of the even deadlier coronavirus outbreak, declaring a killer sane after the defendant was convicted of killing f 18-year-old Nia Wilson aboard an Oakland, Calif. Train. On Monday, Alameda County Judge Allen Haymer halted the third day of jury deliberations after a jury…

By

Michael Harriot

Published

March 17, 2020
News

Man Accused in Nia Wilson's Killing Gets Upgraded Charge, Could Face Death Penalty

The 27-year-old white man who is accused of stabbing and killing 18-year-old Nia Wilson at a BART train stop in Oakland, Calif., in July will likely not get hit with hate crime charges—but may still get the death penalty. On Wednesday, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office hit John Lee Cowell with a special circumstance…

By

Anne Branigin

Published

August 24, 2018
Entertainment

#SayHerName: Celebrities Draw Attention to the Death of Nia Wilson in the Week Following her Fatal Stabbing

For many around the country, the brutal murder of Nia Wilson, an 18-year-old black woman killed last Sunday night at a BART station platform in Oakland, Calif., hit close to home. Many of those affected by Wilson’s death are a number of celebrities who have used their respective platforms to mourn the young woman, and…

By

Anne Branigin

Published

July 27, 2018
Entertainment, Media

Black Journalist Groups Call Out TV Station for Airing Photo of Stabbing Victim Nia Wilson Appearing to Hold a Gun

Several prominent black media groups have slammed a local Bay Area news station for running a photo of Nia Wilson—the 18-year-old black woman stabbed to death at an Oakland BART station—that they say is unethical. The photo in question aired on KTVU Fox 2 on a noon newscast on July 23—not even 24 hours after…

By

Anne Branigin

Published

July 25, 2018
News

Man Arrested in Horrific Stabbing Death of Nia Wilson; Bay Area Protesters Demand Justice

The man believed to have slit the throat of 18-year-old Nia Wilson at an Oakland BART station on Sunday night was arrested without incident Monday night. Police apprehended 27-year-old John Lee Cowell, a paroled felon, on a BART train nearly 24 hours after he allegedly attacked sisters Nia and Letifah Wilson in a vicious stabbing…

By

Anne Branigin

Published

July 24, 2018