Skyy De’Anthony Fisher, the Compton Unified School District trustee accused of committing a sex act on a friend as he slept in a San Diego hotel room the two men were sharing, finally will stand trial on Monday in San Diego. The felony charge is oral copulation of an unconscious person.
Mr. Fisher,31, faces up to eight years in prison if convicted. The alleged victim, known only as Steve, testified last year during a preliminary hearing that he met Mr. Fisher on Facebook and looked up to him. He also testified that in April 2014, he invited Mr. Fisher on a trip to San Diego to celebrate spring break. The 26-year-old college senior testified that he and Mr. Fisher met up with two of the defendant’s friends. They went to several clubs in the Gaslamp District, returning to their hotel room sometime after 1 a.m. on April 4.
The alleged victim said that he fell asleep and was awakened by Mr. Fisher committing a sex act on him. He said Mr. Fisher stopped, got back in bed, and acted like he was sleeping. The alleged victim testified that he left the room and reported the incident to police. Two weeks later, while the man was speaking to police detectives investigating the allegations, Mr. Fisher called the alleged victim.
In the call, which was recorded, Mr. Fisher admitted he had hidden the man’s underwear as a prank, He said he did not know why he committed the sex act. A search warrant was issued in May to collect a DNA sample from Mr. Fisher. An expert confirmed later that the sample matches DNA found on the alleged victim. Mr. Fisher later admitted what happened. He apologized for his actions and was arrested July 23 by U.S. Marshal’s at his place of employment.
Mr. Fisher has served on the Compton School Board since 2011. He made national headlines when he mocked the death of Trayvon Martin in an obscenity-laden podcast interview calling Trayvon Martin “a faggot black dude.” Prosecutors have an eyewitness, as well as Mr. Fisher on audiotape admitting he performed the non-consensual sex act and his DNA on the victim’s underwear.
Mr. Fisher stubbornly has refused to resign from the Compton Unified School District even though a number of parents, residents and organizations, which included the Compton NAACP, Project Islamic HOPE, and the National Action Network have called for his resignation.
His day in court finally is upon us. Many in the community are anxiously waiting and hoping that justice is served and the alleged victim can have closure.
Speaking of the National Action Network, this weekend the organization will conclude its Occupy the Corners initiative, which was launched this summer. Under the leadership of Pastor K.W.Tulloss, NAN and its allies of social justice activists and gang intervention workers were moved into action by the spike of killings in South L.A.
NAN and its allies believes that “All black lives matter.” Some South L.A. activists only care about the one or two black people killed in controversial shootings by the LAPD. They spend all their time protesting the police, even though dozens of blacks are being murdered by other blacks in South L.A.
It is of no obvious concern to those activists. But to all the South L.A. activists, clergy, residents and stakeholders who truly understand that no one is better at killing black folks than other black folks. Black lives won’t matter until we stop killing each other first.
Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti, and Councilmembers Curren Price and Marqueece Harris-Dawson each reached out recently to this writer, indicating that public safety and an end to the violence in South Los Angeles is a top priority with each of them. I don’t trust too many politicians, but this trio of elected officials are all men of character, dignity, and honor. I trust them all 100 percent and so should our community. Their plan of action will be announced in the next few days.
Congratulations to Sister Amachina Anyanwu and Brother Sika, organizers of the seventh annual Leimert Park African Art and Music Festival over Labor Day weekend. The event was a tremendous success. Thousands of Angelenos participated. I can’t wait to attend again next year.
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