OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) — The NAACP is asking the Kentucky attorney general to investigate the arrest of a black college student from Florida who was selling textbooks door-to-door.
Sam Byrd, treasurer of the Owensboro chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, told the Messenger-Inquirer that he believes 21-year-old Florida State University student Lathen J. Bromell wouldn't have been arrested if he was white.
Hancock County Sheriff Dale Bozarth said Bromell was arrested earlier this month after residents complained that he was asked to leave, but then came back. Bozarth said Bromell wasn't treated different from anyone else.
Bromell declined to comment to the newspaper. He has pleaded not guilty to criminal trespassing.
Allison Gardner Martin, a spokeswoman for the attorney general's office, said the NAACP's request hadn't yet been received.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
Sam Byrd, treasurer of the Owensboro chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, told the Messenger-Inquirer that he believes 21-year-old Florida State University student Lathen J. Bromell wouldn't have been arrested if he was white.
Hancock County Sheriff Dale Bozarth said Bromell was arrested earlier this month after residents complained that he was asked to leave, but then came back. Bozarth said Bromell wasn't treated different from anyone else.
Bromell declined to comment to the newspaper. He has pleaded not guilty to criminal trespassing.
Allison Gardner Martin, a spokeswoman for the attorney general's office, said the NAACP's request hadn't yet been received.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
