Coverage of Shooting Victim Questioned

The New York Times profiled the late Defarra Gaymon, who was fatally shot by an undercover police officer in Newark, N.J., last month, in a piece that is raising questions among bloggers.

Edward Esposito, an Essex County sheriff’s officer, shot and killed Gaymon, an Atlanta credit union CEO known as “Dean,” July 16 in Branch Brook Park. Gaymon allegedly approached Esposito, who was working as part of a sex sting operation, while engaged in a sex act, then turned violent after Esposito revealed he was a police officer. The sting operation has since been suspended in the park.

As Rod 2.0 reports, the profile contains speculation about Gaymon’s sexuality, including comments on his "impeccable" style of dress, and it also devotes attention to Esposito’s love of musical theater production in high school.

”The piece attempts to humanize Gaymon and Officer Edward Esposito — the police officer who killed the unarmed man — and is ultimately insensitive and raises several disturbing questions,” says the blog.

Read the Times profile here.