-- Valdosta, Ga. -- May 24, 2012 --
The murder of Stephon Edgerton, known as Juan Gotti, is now getting the attention of Reverend Jesse Jackson. Eyewitness News reporter Eames Yates spoke with the Edgerton family.
Hilda Edgerton's husband, Stephon, was shot to death in January of this year. He lived long enough to identify the killer as a white male. That's gotten the attention of reverend Jesse Jackson.
Jackson sent Edgerton a public letter urging law enforcement to do all they can to catch the killer. Edgerton shared some of that letter with WCTV.
The letter said "Mr. Edgerton was a husband, a father, whose family is entitled to answers. To closure and to simple justice. All life is precious and deserves to be protected. Signed Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Senior."
Although it's been a few months since Stephon's death, the loss is still fresh in the minds of his family.
His mom Juanita said "why would someone shoot him like an animal and just leave him? You know, it's just a cold, callous person that can do that."
The Edgerton's want justice. To accomplish this, they feel, it's necessary to classify the murder differently.
Hilda Edgerton said "there is a strong possibility that we can move this to a hate crime. And the FBI should, and shall, be involved in this case."
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the murder is urged to contact the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office.
All calls can remain anonymous.
