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Ramarley Graham's Father Slams Cops Who Cheered His Son's Killer

By Trevor Kapp | June 14, 2012 1:13pm
Franclot Graham, outside the trial of his sons for gang-related activities.
Franclot Graham, outside the trial of his sons for gang-related activities.
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DNAinfo/Paul Lomax

MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — The father of Ramarley Graham, the unarmed teen gunned down in his Wakefield home by a cop, said he felt angry and insulted after seeing dozens of officers cheer on their colleague outside Bronx court Wednesday.

"It just goes to show they're all part of the same thing," Franclot Graham told DNAinfo.com New York Thursday at Manhattan Supreme Court, where his other two sons, Hodean and Kadean, appeared before a judge on gang- and gun-related charges. "They were cheering him on for killing someone."

Officer Richard Haste, 31, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to two counts of manslaughter for shooting Ramarley Graham once in the chest after Haste's narcotics team stormed Graham's home looking for drugs and guns. One bag of marijuana was recovered, but no weapon.

Haste posted his $50,000 bail immediately after the arraignment, and as he left the courthouse, a contingent of cops cheered for him. A group of protesters responded by chanting, "NYPD, KKK. How many kids have you killed today?''

Franclot Graham said the bail that was set for Haste was "an insult." He broke down during Wednesday's hearing and the tears returned Thursday.

"It’s rough. It’s been crazy," he said of the past few weeks. He said his faith was the only thing getting him through it.

"It’s enough for one family," he said. "What is it with the name Graham? It seems like we're always under constant harassment and violation by the NYPD."