Demand reopening of the Evan's Jr. and Phillips cold cases
The Issue
In the heart of Potsdam, New York, our community has been scarred by the unresolved tragedies of two young lives. Garrett Phillips was brutally murdered in his mother's apartment in 2011, a crime that left a dark mark on our town. The investigation into Garrett's death was fraught with corruption and blatant racial profiling, leading to a mishandled case that eventually went cold. Despite the passage of time, the pain and questions remain. How could such a heinous crime go unanswered in a community that should work together to seek justice for its own?
Then in 2020, another tragedy struck. A promising life was cut short when Terron Evans Jr., a young Black man, was found dead in a friend's apartment. Official reports claimed suicide, yet many in our community feel that this conclusion was reached without thorough investigation. Terron's death came soon after he attended protests against the racial discrimination evident in Garrett Phillips' case. This horrific coincidence raises an unsettling question—could his activism have played a role in his untimely death? Both cases scream of injustice and the need for accountability.
As members of this community, we demand that these cold cases be reopened. Reinvestigating Garrett Phillips' murder and Terron Evans Jr.'s suspicious death is not just the right thing to do—it's essential to restoring faith in our local law enforcement and justice system. We need transparency, impartiality, and a diligent pursuit of truth.
An impartial, external review by independent investigators should be initiated to scrutinize past proceedings and explore new evidence or perspectives. This should include examining evidence collection methods, witness interrogations, and the involvement of racial bias in past investigations. It's crucial that the truth is unveiled and those responsible are held accountable.
We urge Potsdam law enforcement, the New York State Police, and Governor Kathy Hochul to prioritize these cases. Justice must be served, not only for Garrett and Terron but for their families and our entire community.
Help us bring closure and justice to these families. Please sign this petition to demand the reopening of the cold cases of Terron Evans Jr. and Garrett Phillips. Together, we can stand up for truth and ensure that justice is served.
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The Issue
In the heart of Potsdam, New York, our community has been scarred by the unresolved tragedies of two young lives. Garrett Phillips was brutally murdered in his mother's apartment in 2011, a crime that left a dark mark on our town. The investigation into Garrett's death was fraught with corruption and blatant racial profiling, leading to a mishandled case that eventually went cold. Despite the passage of time, the pain and questions remain. How could such a heinous crime go unanswered in a community that should work together to seek justice for its own?
Then in 2020, another tragedy struck. A promising life was cut short when Terron Evans Jr., a young Black man, was found dead in a friend's apartment. Official reports claimed suicide, yet many in our community feel that this conclusion was reached without thorough investigation. Terron's death came soon after he attended protests against the racial discrimination evident in Garrett Phillips' case. This horrific coincidence raises an unsettling question—could his activism have played a role in his untimely death? Both cases scream of injustice and the need for accountability.
As members of this community, we demand that these cold cases be reopened. Reinvestigating Garrett Phillips' murder and Terron Evans Jr.'s suspicious death is not just the right thing to do—it's essential to restoring faith in our local law enforcement and justice system. We need transparency, impartiality, and a diligent pursuit of truth.
An impartial, external review by independent investigators should be initiated to scrutinize past proceedings and explore new evidence or perspectives. This should include examining evidence collection methods, witness interrogations, and the involvement of racial bias in past investigations. It's crucial that the truth is unveiled and those responsible are held accountable.
We urge Potsdam law enforcement, the New York State Police, and Governor Kathy Hochul to prioritize these cases. Justice must be served, not only for Garrett and Terron but for their families and our entire community.
Help us bring closure and justice to these families. Please sign this petition to demand the reopening of the cold cases of Terron Evans Jr. and Garrett Phillips. Together, we can stand up for truth and ensure that justice is served.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on August 25, 2026