(Photo via City of West Hollywood: LaTisha Nixon speaks to the West Hollywood City Council Monday)
The mother of a man found dead in the home of a wealthy political donor in West Hollywood has asked the city council there for help in fully investigating the case.
LaTisha Nixon told members of the council late Monday she felt her son’s death had been largely ignored by the authorities, and there were other young men with information who were afraid to speak to detectives because of their own lifestyles.
“I just want you guys to please, put pressure on whoever needs pressure, so that these people can get immunity and I can get justice for my son,” Nixon said.
Gemmel "Juelz" Moore, 26, was found dead July 27 inside an apartment bathroom on Laurel Ave., and the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and Coroner initially considered the death the result of an accidental drug overdose.
Moore’s body was inside the apartment of noted Democratic party donor Ed Buck, who’s denied he had any role in the death.
Sheriff’s homicide detectives said last week they’d begun to re-examine the case after Moore’s mother provided hand-written entries in her son’s journal that claimed Buck had supplied Moore with methamphetamine, and had paid to watch Moore use the drug.
Several other young men who’ve worked as escorts have said in media interviews and in private - that they’ve had similar experiences in Buck’s apartment, and one cellphone video circulating online appears to show part of such an encounter -- with a male voice reportedly Buck’s narrating in the background.
Nixon, who traveled to Southern California from her home in Texas, said she hoped the West Hollywood council would help, because there are other young men who could be hurt.
“I’m just asking you guys to please help me,” she said.
“It’s not fair that he’s such a big political donor and I’m sure he’s donated to maybe some of you, but put that to the side, if you guys could look past that, and just help us get justice.”
A candlelight vigil was held last Friday to draw attention to Moore’s death and funeral services were held over the weekend.