Media does Disservice in Ignoring Trial in Shooting of Heroic Kenneth Mark

The scene where Kenneth Mark was murdered on Dec. 29, 2009

     
     Kenneth Mark died a hero. The soft-spoken man stood 6-foot-four-inches tall, weighed about 300 pounds, and died when Lamar Skeete, seeking retaliation, came up behind him, put a gun to the back of his head and pulled the trigger, ending Mark’s life.

     The circumstances leading to Mark’s murder began after he heard that Skeete’s brother had brought a gun to the housing complex where Mark lived in Toronto and showed it to a number of children, included his niece and nephew. Mark confronted Skeete’s brother and chased him off the complex. Revenge came quickly when Skeete and his brother shot Mark in the face and back with a shotgun, pelting him with buckshot. Mark survived this attack and decided to approach the police with the information he had about the shooting, speaking out despite his fears of being labelled a snitch.

     Skeete and his brother were held in custody for 13 months while they awaited trial for the attempted murder of Mark. Skeete was released before trial began when it was evident that a prosecution would not happen due to a lack of evidence. Skeete’s brother was cleared of all charges after only two days. Mark was dead 12 days later.

Kenneth Mark visiting Niagara Falls

     
     Mark didn’t want to die, yet he confronted Skeete’s brother at the housing complex. After he survived the shotgun blast, Mark battled his fears and went to the police to tell them about his attackers. He continued to speak out against them in court as he identified them in the hopes of taking two dangerous men off the streets. Mark died for taking a stand against gun culture and is remembered by those who love him as being gentle and kind.

     Mark was murdered over two years ago. The trial has been going on for the last month. So I can’t help but wonder where the media coverage is. I found the details of this story only on the National Post. Consider for a moment that when I research a news story I visit at least five national, three local and four provincial news sites. I also type in key words at both Google and YouTube for related information. This method typically results in more information than I can hope to use. However, upon my searching I came across no information regarding the trial of Skeete in the murder of Mark.

     The only journalist who seems concerned by this story and the lack of coverage for the trial is Christie Blatchford. She offers her reasons for this media whiteout, which you can read here. I believe that Christie is right in her theory. The media has begun to view black-on-black violence as all the same. Heroics are being lost amid a sea of anger and revenge. The people in Toronto are quiet as gangs continue to terrorize their neighbourhoods. The silence in the streets is reflected by that of the media as Mark continues to lie under the cold, hard ground.