Nolan Wells‘ mom, Christine Wonsley, has responded to recent comments from his friends, Jax Pitalo, Warren Hudson, and others, as the Congressional Black Caucus reportedly requests the Department of Justice (DOJ) to open a separate investigation into his death.
Nolan Wells’ Mom Responds To Comments From His Friends
On Thursday, August 13, Christine Wonsley, Elmore Wonsley, attorney Ben Crump, and Rev. Al Sharpton appeared at the National Association of Black Journalists. This, for a panel discussion. About six minutes into the conversation, captured by FOX NASHVILLE, Christine addressed a recent comment. This, from one of her late son’s friends, Jax Pitalo. As The Shade Room previously reported, during part one of a sit-down with Officer Tatum, Pitalo alleged that the Wells family was more familiar with him than they previously let on.
“Jax was a friend we met in passing before,” Christine explained, referencing the night she last saw her son alive, and that he had stayed the evening with Pitalo. “And that’s the thing, I always say there’s a difference in meeting someone, knowing of someone, and then knowing someone. Knowing implies that we’ve sat down. That we’ve had discussions about your hopes, your dreams… Jax was just maybe someone I saw in passing a few times.”
To note, Christine’s comments also seemed to reference previous statements from Tracestin Shepherd. Shepherd also alleged Wells’ family was more familiar with him than they’ve let on.
Furthermore, Christine explained that they were “only a handful” of young men that she and her husband were truly familiar with.
“It’s been hard seeing all of this play out,” she added. “And you know, these are people he considered friends.”
Keep scrolling for details on the Congressional Black Caucus’s request regarding Nolan Wells investigation.
#1
Christine Wonsley Recalls Being Informed By Warren Hudson That Her Son Was Missing
Around the nine-minute mark, Christine began recalling the phone call she received from Warren Hudson on the evening of July 4. Per Christine, Hudson told her not to be worried about Wells and that he and his friends would find him. But all she remembered thinking was, “Absolutely not.”
Furthermore, Christine recalled Hudson telling her that her son chose to stay on Horn Island because he had met a girl, Katie McCormack. Per Elmore, this wasn’t in Wells’ character or how he was raised. Additionally, they expressed disbelief that Wells had stayed on the island without his phone. Furthermore, they even noted that while they were searching the island on July 5, their service was perfectly fine.
“To me, that’s two lies I was told, as a father,” Elmore said, getting emotional.
#2
Furthermore, the parents concluded by recapping their arrival at Jax Pitalo’s house and the events that led to Elmore retrieving his son’s car keys.
#3
Christine Wonsley Addressed The "Smear" Campaign Against Her Professional & Personally
#4
Christine Wonsley Addresses Jax Pitalo Saying She Created Narrative By Sharing Photo Of Nolan Wells On Boat
Around the 28-minute mark, Wonsley appeared to address Pitalo’s recent comment about her “pushing” a “narrative” by initially sharing the photo of her son on the boat with him and two others.
“We’ve never blamed anyone. We’ve never tried to smear anyone,” she said. “I know I heard something about the [boat] picture… The picture was sent to me as ‘Ms. Christine, the information is incorrect. This is what he was wearing.'”
#5
This, because, per Christine, she was initially told by Hudson that her son was wearing black swimming trunks when he was actually wearing blue trunks.
“So we had to correct that,” Christine stated.
#6
See their full appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists below.
#8
Congressional Black Caucus Reportedly Requests DOJ Open Separate Investigation
According to WLOX, Wells’ parents also appeared alongside Ben Crump and Rev. Al Sharpton for a subsequent press conference. During the conference, the group “called for a federal review of the investigation.” This, also after the Congressional Black Caucus made the same request on Wednesday, August 12.
Per the outlet, the Congressional Black Caucus penned a letter to “U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel to launch an independent review of the case.”
#9
“We are demanding a full federal investigation. Kash Patel, we are demanding a full federal investigation as to what was actually happened to Nolan Wells,” Georgia Representative Lucy McBath said at the conference. “We want to make sure that every stone is turned because his life matters.”
#11
When Will Nolan Wells' Phone Be Examined?
According to WLOX, Crump is awaiting a mutual meeting with the Jackson County District Attorney’s office to examine Nolan Wells’ cell phone. As The Shade Room previously reported, per his parents, it appears content may have been deleted from his phone before they were able to retrieve it.
“Just to clarify, what the agreement was, was that the Jackson County DA’s office as well as our forensic team and possibly the FBI were going to together download and examine the phone, so it’s done one time with everyone together. This is very common in the law. We are waiting for the DA to determine the time, the place, the date. Let us know, and we are going to be there with our forensics team and anybody else. But it’s done one time, one examination. We’re ready for it to happen,” a lawyer for Crump reportedly told the press on a previous date.
#12
Rev. Al Sharpton Addressed The Potential Apparent Lawsuits From Ocean Springs Teens
Furthermore, per WLOX, Crump addressed the recent spoliation letters sent to Wells’ friends. He noted that the main message behind them was their request for evidence to be preserved. Not so much for it to threaten legal action. Nonetheless, Rev. Shaprton added that they are prepared for any legal notices that may come their way.
#13
“I don’t even know your kid’s name, so you can’t say I defamed your son. I don’t know your son’s name. But I will say this on this stage, I want them to sue me first,” he reportedly said. “I want to depose your son. If you sue, the plaintiffs are deposed. Let’s go to civil court, any kind of court you want to go to, because you can’t make this make sense.”
