A Lane County grand jury heard testimony Friday in a hit-and-run incident against a Black activist last month.
About a dozen witnesses to the June 28 incident were subpoenaed, including Isiah Wagoner. He was participating in a children’s march for Black Unity when Travis Waleri allegedly struck him with his car. Police later detained – then released- Waleri.
The grand jury will determine if charges will be filed. Wagoner said he testified for half an hour via Facetime, and was unable to see the panel.
“I spoke my truth, I spoke nothing but the truth, I’m hoping that we get justice through this whole process,” Wagoner told KLCC.
“Kind of really hard to say and gauge if these were a jury of my peers or not.”
Wagoner added it was difficult at times to re-experience the events of June 28 for the panel.
“Thinking about my family, thinking about my daughter, just thinking about children who were there, it makes me sick in my stomach. Just tossing and turning.
“It was easy for me to go in there and tell the truth, but it was so daunting to kinda relive those experiences.”
Outside the courthouse earlier, Wagoner’s brother, Precious Daiiltone, said he was nervous.
“Just rare for Black people to get justice to begin with. So without video, without what they were asking for, just kinda nervous," said Dailltone.
"But I’m hoping these witnesses let the jury know what’s going on.”
It’s uncertain if and when charges will be filed. Wagoner says the point of contention appears to be determining Waleri’s intent.
The District Attorney's Office has not released a timeline following testimony, and declined to verify that no video evidence had been submitted of the incident.
In an email to KLCC, DA Patty Perlow says it’s also uncertain when the grand jury investigation will conclude.
“It is up to the grand jurors as to whether they more investigation or witnesses to appear,” wrote Perlow.
Copyright 2020, KLCC.
