1,400 pay tribute to Graham at service

Gary Graham was executed last week for a 1981 murder

By SALATHEIA BRYANT

June 29, 2000 Web posted at: 1:51 PM EDT (1751 GMT)

HOUSTON, Texas (The Houston Chronicle) -- Gary Graham wore a turquoise African outfit trimmed in gold instead of a white prison uniform, and five dozen yellow roses adorned his casket Wednesday as more than 1,400 mourners and community leaders remembered the convicted murderer as Shaka Sankofa.

The memorial service for Graham, who adopted the African name while awaiting the execution that was carried out last week, was billed as a celebration of his life, more than half of which was spent on death row.

"I promise you . . . we will continue to work to clear his name," said Robert Muhammad, minister of the Nation of Islam's Mosque No. 45 in Houston. "We stand up and honor him because we love him."

The service included a saxophonist playing "Amazing Grace" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," dance tributes, poem readings and a call to save others who Graham supporters believe are on death row unjustly.

	More from The Houston Chronicle
	Man dies after demolishing hotel room City Council tries to wrap up policy for receiving gifts Suit alleges cemetery made grave mistake $4 million capital plan approved 2nd chance for teen in baby's death

Mourners filed by the gold casket to a slow drumbeat. One mourner raised his fist while looking down at Graham as a salute. Another mourner brought a handful of red flowers. Others whispered prayers over him.

His stepmother, Elnora Graham, and his daughter, Deidra Hawkins, stooped to kiss him.

Many of the mourners, like Emily Carter, had never met Graham, who began using the name Shaka Sankofa in 1995, but followed his case through the media. She said Graham deserved the heroic ceremony.

"He deserves more. He deserves his life," Carter said. "It has just torn my heart out what they did to this man. I feel like they didn't kill him for the murder of Bobby Lambert but for all the other crimes he did. I really think he was done an injustice."

Investigators suspected Graham in a string of robberies and a rape during a one-week period in May 1981. He was convicted of 10 aggravated robberies. He was sentenced to death for the capital murder of Bobby Grant Lambert, 53, of Tucson, Ariz., who was killed outside a Houston supermarket. Graham was 17 at the time of the shooting. Graham maintained he was innocent of that murder.

A victims' rights advocate, Dianne Clements of Justice for All, said Graham supporters were using his funeral to further their anti-death penalty cause.

"It is all specifically calculated and manipulated to give more attention to an executed killer," Clements said. "I'm very disappointed that some respected civil rights leaders are going to pay homage to this man who was one of the worst human rights violators Houston has ever seen."

The service began with the Rev. James W.E. Dixon II reading Psalm 23 followed by a prayer. He recognized those who had been working to free Graham. Graham's family was given a standing ovation.

"Some simply said a prayer. Others have marched, protested, carried signs and traveled back and forth protesting," said Dixon, pastor of Community of Faith Church where the service was held.

"Whatever you did to help the cause, we want you to know it counted. It counted. By you being here tonight you will help the movement to go forward and continue."

A few flowers surrounded Graham's casket, one bearing the name of Houston Gardens Elementary.

Those who spoke at the funeral included the Rev. Jesse Jackson; Howard Jefferson, president of the local branch of the NAACP; state Rep. Al Edwards, D-Houston; and local anti-death penalty advocates.

"Texas can't kill the spirit. We're here tonight because our brother lives. He has multiplied through us," Jackson said.

As a result of Graham's death, Jackson said he's more determined to stop executions.

In the weeks leading to his execution, supporters waged protests in Austin and Houston in an attempt to win Graham a new trial.

The service Wednesday was also part anti-death penalty rally as activists passed out fliers urging mourners to get involved.

Another memorial service is scheduled for Graham on Sunday at the Nation of Islam Mosque No. 45 in Houston.

Texas executes Graham for 1981 murder despite his pleas of innocence

AR, Jonesboro, KAIT AR, Little Rock, KATV LA, Lafayette, KATC LA, Monroe, KNOE LA, Shreveport, KSLA OK, Oklahoma City, KOCO OK, Oklahoma City, KOKH OK, Tulsa, KOTV   TX, Abilene, KTXS TX, Amarillo, KFDA TX, Austin, KEYE TX, Austin, KXAN TX, Dallas KTVT TX, Dallas, WFAA TX, Harlingen-Weslaco, KRGV TX, Houston, KHOU TX, Houston, KPRC   TX, Lubbock, KAMC TX, San Antonio, KABB TX, San Antonio, KMOL TX, Tyler, KLTV TX, Waco, KWTX TX, Wichita Falls, KAUZ TX, Wichita Falls, KSWO