“I don’t have any evidence to suggest that there was a hate crime, there is nothing to indicate threats, there’s nothing to indicate … foul play,” said Jamon Hicks, the attorney for the Robert Fuller‘s family, which had an independent autopsy conducted after the body was returned to them.
“There were no racist sentiments, no symbols or anything in the area, so we don’t have any information to suggest that it was a hate crime,” Hicks added.
Hicks said he is still working to gather evidence, including but not limited to any video that may have captured Fuller’s June 10 death, in order to give the family closure.
“I want to make it clear, I’m not expecting that (anything is) going to dramatically change, but in complete thoroughness to the family, I told them I will find out every answer that I can find out,” Hicks said.
He said Fuller’s relatives were not aware of his history with mental health issues prior to his death.
On Thursday, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Cmdr. Chris Marks, who oversees the department’s detective division, said the department’s investigation had determined that Fuller took his own life, citing physical evidence and Fuller’s history with mental illness and suicidal thoughts.
Marks said that history included January 2017 diagnosis of auditory hallucinations by a hospital in Arizona. Their records showed that Fuller “stated that he wanted to put a gun to his head,” according to Marks.
Fuller also admitted himself to a California hospital in February 2019 for “reportedly hearing voices telling himself to kill himself,” and in November 2019, he was treated at a Nevada hospital for “suicidal ideation and depression,” in which he disclosed that he had a plan to kill himself, Marks said.
A passerby found Fuller’s body hanging by a rope from a tree in Poncitlan Square about 3:40 a.m. June 10.
“Detectives identified a purchase from a local Dollar Tree store made on May 14, 2020 in which a red rope consistent with the one used in the hanging was purchased with EBT card registered to Mr. Fuller,” Marks said.
“There were no signs of a struggle, no defensive wounds observed and no other signs of trauma visible to Mr. Fuller,” according to Marks.
Shortly after Fuller’s body was found, sheriff’s detectives said the death appeared to be a suicide — sparking anger among many area residents who accused authorities of jumping to conclusions without investigating the possibility that Fuller was the victim of a lynching.
At a news conference at Palmdale City Hall shortly after Fuller’s death, residents hurled obscenities at sheriff’s and city officials as they tried to give an update on the investigation.
Fuller’s death came at the height of local and nationwide protests over police brutality and calls for racial equality following the death of George Floyd while being arrested by officers in Minneapolis.
Sheriff’s officials insisted the initial statement about suicide was only a preliminary determination, not the final result of the investigation, and vowed that a full probe would be conducted.
On May 31 in Victorville, a San Bernardino County community about 50 miles east of Palmdale, the body of another Black man was found hanging from a tree. Malcolm Harsch, 38, was found at 7 a.m., hanging from a tree near a homeless encampment.
His death further fueled community outrage in Palmdale, where a series of marches and demonstrations were held demanding justice for Fuller and Harsch.
In Victorville, video footage was eventually found that confirmed Harsh committed suicide.
At a news conference Thursday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said his department had conducted a thorough investigation into Fuller’s death and he denounced any suggestions that investigators rushed to judgment in the case.
“A small segment of the community, and — unfortunately — a significant representation of county government elected leaders were trying to propel the narrative,” Villanueva said.
“But the overwhelming majority of the public trusts the sheriff’s department,” Villanueva said. “And as you can see, we complete an investigation and then we report on the results.”
Villanueva had said earlier that he called California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and reached out to the FBI to oversee the investigation to ensure transparency.
Previous related stories:
Authorities say death of Robert Fuller was a suicide
Funeral set for Robert Fuller; family attorney debunks rumors
LACSD deputy fatally shoots Robert Fuller’s half-brother in Kern County
Family hires attorney, seeks independent autopsy in Robert Fuller’s death
Watch: Villanueva vows thorough probe into hanging death in Palmdale
Robert Fuller death: Hundreds protest in Palmdale; city & county officials request probe by State AG
Watch: Demand grows for full investigation into death of Robert Fuller in Palmdale
Suspected suicide: Body found hanging from tree in Poncitlan Square, Palmdale issues statement
Woman files legal claim against LA County over crossfire wounding
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Cynic says
The demand for racism is bigger than the supply of racism in 2020. Through all our imperfections, the fact of the matter is that we have come a long way since the Civil Rights Movement. Systemic racism is a psychological boogeyman and a product of people’s imaginations. It distracts from the bigger and very real issue of systemic CLASSISM, in which poor Brown, Black, and White people get the scraps of society.
Sounds familiar, doesn't it? says
Why would anyone jump to a conclusion that it was a lynching in of all places, the United States?
BECAUSE WE HAVE A HISTORY AND IT WOULDN’T SURPRISE MOST PEOPLE IF IT WAS.
Some people need every little thing explained to them and still they wouldn’t get it.
Shameless says
Shame, shame and more shame to the family of Robert Fuller.
The Dude Abides says
The only criminal act in this whole thing is the Fuller Family defrauding the public out of a quarter of a million dollars. There should be an investigation as to which family members knew what. They should also be liable to the city for all of the extra money spent protecting the city during the time of the protests. It is a tragedy that the took the spot light off of a real issue, Mental Illness, and instead chose to profit off of a false narative.
Thomas says
This family IMMEDIATELY said he was lynched. Knowing full and we’ll of his many attempts at suicide. How dare them try and push a narrative on the American people just to gain a buck from his death. The got well over $250,000. Forget about defund the police , # defundthefullerfamily
Think says
The mob lusts for victimhood at the expense of civility.
Anonymous says
I think unless he left behind kids, they should either return the money, or donate it to a good cause. It doesn’t sound like he was financially responsible for anyone, or it doesn’t state he lives with his mom and sister, so I don’t think they should keep the money. Just my opinion.
William Gregory says
Said it once…will say it again! #LearnBeforeYouBurn the Black Lives Matter Organization was pushing fundraising efforts using this sad tragedy to raise money based on a FLASE NARRATIVE.
The media painted the entire AV as a bunch of racists looking to kill black people.
DIGUSTING
Stinger says
So… How long do y’all think it’ll be before even a single one of those who were insulting and accusing just damned near about everyone will manage even a squeak of an apology?
Of course it was fully investigated. It would have been anyways, being a loss of life, but with the surrounding circumstances, there would be few on the department or politically who would have discouraged an even more scrutinous investigation than usual.
But no. We had to have a bunch of hacks out there trying to make political hay while the sun shines and stir up mob mentalities, and an even larger bunch of idiots who just refuse to use their God given cognitive abilities to examine issues with a cool head. This leads to inevitable stupidity that causes everyone to suffer needlessly.
Now that the investigations are concluded with incontrovertible evidence, what will we hear from these demagogues? Personally, I expect mere background crickets to be heard.
May I suggest that these same ‘community leaders’ step up to accept the facts of these cases publicly, publicly apologize for their insultive behavior towards those who merely wanted to do their jobs, then redirect their supporters towards the end of refunding mental health resources to help prevent more tragic loss of lives… Including black lives. Doing so would do more to honor Robert Fuller than any march or riot.
Loam says
“He said Fuller’s relatives were not aware of his history with mental health issues prior to his death.”
Three hospital stays in three years for mental illness. Prior suicide attempts. And the family had no idea?
Laughing says
He could have been living with friends during those years and were not made aware of his mental condition. He was not a minor during of those hospital visits so no requirement to report to family members.
Evidence says
Fuller’s family and Hicks are anti-white racists.
Hate Crime Hoax says
Jamon Hicks should be disbarred.
Dwayne says
Shame every who was part of this false narrative of him being lynched. There was suicide note in his pocket.
Bs they didn’t know of his prior mental illness yes they knew but they wanted to continue with the false narrative he was lynched by racist group. The BLM just wants to bing more hate and discord among our community in Palmdale.
There was no cover up just a suicide here a sad one.
You want to make a real change. Take personal responsibility for your own actions. Stop blaming everyone else for your misdeeds or problems.
David says
What should be extremely concerning to anyone with a brain, is the witch hunt for the evil white man who hung 2 black men in trees.
It does not matter one bit to the black community that an innocent person might go to jail the rest of their lives or get the death penalty because they can’t take responsibility for themselves or their actions.
This nonsense needs to stop and public leaders need to stop bowing down to BLM.
So sick of hearing how EVERYTHING is racist. EVERYTHING is white guys fault. Not having it anymore. I’m Jewish and I know what racism and bigotry is. That doesn’t give me a pass to act like an ass and commit crime and cry racism every time I get caught and blame everyone and everything.
And while on this subject, what did they do with all that gofund me money? Which needs to be returned….
Getting real sick of all this from the black community. Real REAL sick of it!!!!
You want change? You want to end racism? Start with YOU first.
Trumpist#1 says
David:
Well said. Agree 100%. Admire your chutzpa to risk getting “cancelled”, lol.
Fix yourself says
David: We might be sick and tired of how everything is racist but I suggest you take some time to study the history of America, then study the Constitution. If we want to end racism we need only to look at ourselves and how we can stop blaming others. It seems these days or maybe its always been this way, that there is plenty wrong with everyone else, you know, it’s her fault, it’s his fault, it’s their fault, not me.
Trumpist#1 says
Wow, are you naive, delusional and ill-informed. Look at ourselves you say?? Do we run the streets looting, burning, raping and murdering?
Dummkopf!
Trump is a criminal says
Delusional? The name Trumpist#1 is a red flag indicating delusion.
Naïve and ill-informed are just icing on your cake.
Dump Trump says
Trumpist # says it all. No doubt you’ve done your share, like commuting a convicted felon, making sue Kanye got a loan even though he’s a billionaire. You like Kim and Kanye, and Roger, therefore you give favors. The rule of law means nothing to you so it doesn’t matter what anyone does.
Dump Trump says
Yes you do Trumpist.
Dwayne says
He said Fuller’s relatives were not aware of his history with mental health issues prior to his death.
Sure they didn’t know what a crap of BS! This whole event brought outside agitators that don’t care about our community just what to bring more hate and discord into our community.
Shame anyone who was involved in false narrative by the protesting in Palmdale and Santa Clarita!
There was no racist mob that hung him. There was no cover up. He bought a rope with his own. EBT card.
Darius White says
“At a news conference at Palmdale City Hall…residents hurled obscenities at sheriff’s and city officials as they tried to give an update on the investigation.” So when should we expect to hear any of these residents publically apologize to the sheriffs and city officials for themselves jumping to conclusions?
Just wondering…
Dwayne says
I agree with Darius
There was no cover up just a suicide here a sad one.
You want to make a real change. Take personal responsibility for your own actions. Stop blaming everyone else for your misdeeds or problems.
Laughing says
Would be nice for them to apologize in person or written letter.
Not likely to happen at this time in history where so many people have forgotten what a real apology is. Regardless of skin tone of the person needing to apologize.