Brentwood vigil marks death of black motorist 19 years ago, other deaths

Black motorist Jonny Gammage died 19 years ago of asphyxiation in a confrontation with five white South Hills police officers.

The deaths of young black men elsewhere in the country during police confrontations in recent months prompted protesters to line Brownsville Road on Tuesday night — as they did in the mid-1990s.

The candlelight vigil drew nearly 20 people. Some wore pins and carried banners seeking “Justice for Jonny Gammage” that they saved from protests after Gammage's death.

“In all of these, no one was ever held accountable,” said organizer Frances Rupp, 48, of Brentwood. “We are failing our black brothers and sisters.”

About a dozen people stood across the street from the vigil, which lasted less than 45 minutes, heckling at times at the small crowd.

The death of Eric Garner in Staten Island was “hauntingly familiar,” said Rupp, once a reporter for the defunct In Pittsburgh who covered the Gammage case.

Gammage, 31, of Syracuse, N.Y., died Oct. 12, 1995, from compression of the chest and neck while struggling with officers from several departments during a traffic stop in Overbrook.

John Vojtas, then a Brentwood patrolman, was called to back up other police who saw a brake light flashing on the Jaguar that belonged to Gammage's cousin, former Steelers defensive end Ray Seals.

Vojtas, who could not be reached for comment, was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter at a trial in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. He later was promoted to sergeant.

New York police grappled with Garner when he was stopped on suspicion of selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. He died when an officer used a chokehold. A Staten Island grand jury decided not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo, enraging many people who took to the streets in protest.

“I feel like we still want justice for Jonny Gammage,” said Pete Shell, 51, of Squirrel Hill, who attended his first protest in 1995 after Gammage's death and has attended many since, even joining the Alliance for Police Accountability.

Rupp said she hopes the Brentwood event will “foster better race relations” and transparency in the area. People are undecided whether the town has repaired its reputation resulting from Gammage's death, she said.

Providing “safety and security” is paramount, said Mayor Dennis Troy. He said he's proud of Brentwood's police force and “I support them unequivocally.”

Stephanie Hacke is a Trib Total Media staff writer.