St. Louis Board Of Aldermen Approves Resolution To Remember Anthony Lamar Smith  

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen unanimously approved Friday a resolution to remember Anthony Lamar Smith following the recent acquittal of the police officer that killed him in 2011.

“(Smith’s) death has sparked a universal cry for justice and accountability throughout the City of St. Louis,” the resolution said. It was signed by all 28 aldermen. The Board of Aldermen is the city’s legislative body that creates, passes, and amends local laws, as well as approves the city’s budget every year. The resolution goes into Smith’s interests in sports and the arts, as well as his dream of becoming a professional clothing designer.

Officer Jason Stockley fatally shot Smith in 2011. He was charged with first-degree murder in May 2016 and was found not guilty earlier this month. He settled a wrongful death suit with Smith’s family for $900,000 in 2013.

Smith’s mother was in attendance for the reading of the resolution, during which Alderman John Collins-Muhammad reminded those in attendance that justice has still not been served for her son’s death. 

“His mother had to wait six years for justice, which she still did not get,” Alderman said. “So I invited her here today to let her know the city of St. Louis and the Board of Aldermen shares her pain, her frustration and her deep dissatisfaction with the turnout of everything that has happened.”

The new resolution comes as the city’s mayor also pledged to strengthen the board that investigates complaints about the police, sparking outrage from St. Louis police officers. Police officers believe that city leaders are bowing to political pressure from the ongoing protests.