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As Nolan Wells’ family mourns his untimely death, civil rights attorney Ben Crump says the investigation is entering a pivotal phase. Speaking shortly after Wells’ funeral, Crump emphasized that conflicting versions of events from witnesses are among the many concerns with the ongoing investigation.
“We want to make sure what goes to the grand jury is accurate,” he said during a press conference. The Root previously told you that Wells’ family is conducting an independent investigation after the 18-year-old was found dead following a Fourth of July trip with friends.
While Crump made clear that no criminal charges or conclusions have been settled, conflicting accounts from some of the last to see Wells alive are raising alarm.
Crump previously told Roland Martin that Wells’ friends allege he chose to stay behind to spend time with a young woman named Katie after they left the island. But according to Crump, Katie offers a different version of events, claiming Wells told her he planned to return to the boat with his friends.
“We know they’re telling two different stories,” the attorney said. “The question is are you trying to get to the truth or are you trying to help keep the truth hidden from us? And that’s what we’re fighting for.”
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The family’s latest appearance comes just hours after loved ones gathered to celebrate Wells’ life during an emotional funeral service. As The Root previously reported, mourners remembered the college athlete as a bright, caring young man whose death has left a tremendous void.
The civil rights attorney argued that every piece of evidence and every potential witness account must be thoroughly examined before the case reaches a grand jury. He urged anyone who may have been on the water that day to come forward, saying even those who only overheard conversations could provide valuable information.
“People are talking about their boats and when they were out there–when they were in earshot of Nolan and people on the boat,” Crump said. “We need all of that information.”
Crump stressed that Wells’ family wants investigators to follow the evidence wherever it leads as quickly as possible.
“It’s always troublesome–to all of us–when these investigations take forever,” Crump said. “As if, you know, the longer we let it go, the more people forget. Other things happen. It gets swept under the rug. That’s important to have a timeline.”
