Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

We often hear of a parent's love for their child but seldom hear of the depths of love a child has for a parent. Medria Taylor-Buford's love for others is always on display. Many throughout our area know and love her. If you have ever met her, you would know why. She has a heart of gold and can often be found in service to others in many capacities. Taylor-Buford grew up as a part of a large loving family. As an adolescent, she did not let having an incarcerated harden her heart or break her effervescent smile. In her younger years, there was a lot that she did not understand about her father's incarceration. Still, she continued to develop a relationship with him despite his physical location. As she matured into adulthood, their bond deepened, and Taylor-Buford has spent the last two and a half decades collecting evidence and information that would aid in getting her dad his freedom.

On March 16, 1991, the day after his 30th birthday Dwayne Jewel Hill started a mandatory sentence of life in prison after being charged and found guilty of second-degree murder. The middle son of Marion Gundy Hill and Willie Lee Hill, Dwayne grew up in what was considered to be an upper-class Black family. Hill's family, who owned a burial insurance company and Sims & Gundy Funeral Home in Monroe, LA., Rayville, LA., and Tallulah, LA., and several properties as well, was no stranger to scandal. Hill's great-great grandfather Henry Sills came to Richland Parish in the late 1800s. During a time of deep-seated racism in the south, his uncle Madison Sims and his aunt Olivia started and opened the Sims & Gundy Funeral Homes in 1929. Then in 1960, tragedy struck the family when his uncle William Sills Gundy, Sr., was killed while in the custody of White police officers. There were other incidents in which his family was targeted supporting the Civil Rights Movement, which led Hill's father to stand watch during the night while the family slept. Eventually, the Movement made it possible for Hill and his brother Joseph Michael to become some of the first Black children to integrate into the all-White school in Rayville in 1968. The racial tension trickled down through the years. Despite the efforts of Hill's parents to shelter him and his brothers from becoming targets of the well-seated hatred and resentment present in the community, they were unable to stop the madness that would ensue and bring down the proud Christian family. In the summer of 1989, Dwayne and two others were charged for the death of Ms. Elnora Coon. Recorded court documents allege that Ronnie Martin, Temeisha Russell, and Dwayne Hill met up with each other and decided to rob Ms. Coon. After obtaining entry into her home, it was alleged that Dwayne caused bodily injuries to Ms. Coon, and she subsequently died; Hill was the alleged aggressor of the brutal crime despite having an alibi of three people and no motive to commit such a heinous crime. Coerced, dishonest testimonies and bribes have been uncovered that solidify Hill's innocence. In 2015 the State of Louisiana Board of Pardons and Parole unanimously voted and forwarded the recommendation that Dwayne be granted a Commutation of Sentence to 99 years with Immediate Parole Eligibility to Governor Bobby Jindal's office after considerable evidence was presented. Unfortunately, Jindal left office before pardoning Hill. Recently, even more, factual evidence has appeared that would provide future proof of his innocence. So Hill's loving daughter continues to fight for the justice he rightfully deserves and is anticipating the day when she and her family can enjoy time with him outside restricted confines. Taylor-Buford has always questioned people's motive as it relates to the case. To her, providing information that would aid in releasing an incident man is the right thing to do. Many would say she is justified in having resentment and negative feelings about our justice system and those who made up lies and withheld information that would help free her father. Still, she has no ill-will for those who allegedly lied and withheld information to send him to prison. She simply wants an overdue injustice rectified. When free, he plans to make up for lost time with family and continue his ministry, serving God. And his daughter cannot wait to throw him the biggest party. Continued prayers to Hill, his family, and legal advocates. For more information about Hill, his case, and ministry visit, http://www.justice4jewel.com.