Four days before Christmas in 1957, Clarence Horatious Pickett, a preacher and newspaper ad salesman in Columbus, Georgia, walked into town to pick up his paycheck. Forty-eight years old and known as “Reverend” to many, the tall, lean man with wire-rimmed glasses left his home and headed toward The Columbus World, a black newspaper where Pickett worked.

Pickett, who’d been a boy preacher, was showing signs of mental instability and had spent time in the county jail and the state mental hospital, which was notorious for employing doctors with addictions, poor training and racist beliefs. Before the day was over, Pickett would be arrested, jailed, and beaten senseless by a white police officer. An examining physician would conclude that Pickett was “putting on.” He wasn’t. His injuries would lead to his death two days later. Pickett’s killing would spur police and FBI investigations where a remarkable number of eyewitnesses would come forward to testify on what they saw. But would an all-white criminal justice system bring charges against a white cop for beating a black man?

Season 5 of Buried Truths follows the story of Pickett and the criminal justice and medical professionals who failed him. Why was he thrown in jail in the first place? Why wasn't he able to receive adequate medical care in those fragile days after his encounter with police? We'll explore Pickett’s life as a mentally disturbed Black man in the dark heart of the Deep South in the 1950s.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or listen at wabe.org/podcasts/buried-truths/.

Four days before Christmas in 1957,&nbsp;Clarence Horatious Pickett, a preacher and newspaper ad salesman in Columbus, Georgia, walked into town to pick up his paycheck. Forty-eight years old and known as &ldquo;Reverend&rdquo; to many, the tall, lean man with wire-rimmed glasses left his home and headed toward&nbsp;The Columbus World, a black newspaper where Pickett worked.
Pickett, who&rsquo;d been a boy preacher, was showing signs of mental instability and had spent time in the county jail and the state mental hospital, which was notorious for employing&nbsp;doctors with addictions, poor training and racist beliefs.&nbsp;Before the day was over, Pickett would be arrested, jailed, and beaten senseless by a white police officer. An examining physician would conclude that Pickett was &ldquo;putting on.&rdquo; He wasn&rsquo;t. His injuries would lead to his death two days later. Pickett&rsquo;s killing would spur police and FBI investigations where a remarkable number of eyewitnesses would come forward to testify on what they saw. But would an all-white criminal justice system bring charges against a white cop for beating a black man?
Season 5 of Buried Truths follows the story of Pickett and the criminal justice and medical professionals who failed him.&nbsp;Why was he thrown in jail in the first place? Why wasn't he able to receive adequate medical care in those fragile days after his encounter with police? We'll explore Pickett&rsquo;s life as a mentally disturbed Black man in the dark heart of the Deep South in the 1950s.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or listen at <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/buried-truths/">wabe.org/podcasts/buried-truths/</a>.

Introducing Buried Truths, Season 5: A Preacher, a Policeman, and a Physician

Following WABE's year-long investigation into life at Forest Cove, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens visits the deteriorating complex and kickstarts an effort to get residents out. As a result, Ms. Peaches finally gets what she fought so hard for--decent housing.

Following WABE's year-long investigation into life at Forest Cove, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens visits the deteriorating complex and kickstarts an effort to get residents out. As a result, Ms. Peaches finally gets what she fought so hard for--decent housing.

Ms. Peaches' fight is over—for now

Neglect is not new at Forest Cove. A look into archives reveals how mismanagement has plagued the complex since it first opened in 1976. While early residents remember quiet, family-oriented townhomes, newspaper reports and court documents show Forest Cove soon suffered from construction defects. A Congressman who led investigations into the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at the time asks why still no one has solved this problem.

Neglect is not new at Forest Cove. A look into archives reveals how mismanagement has plagued the complex since it first opened in 1976. While early residents remember quiet, family-oriented townhomes, newspaper reports and court documents show Forest Cove soon suffered from construction defects. A Congressman who led investigations into the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at the time asks why still no one has solved this problem.

'A housing dream shatters'

Millennia defends itself against reports of poor conditions in its properties. As Ms. Peaches begins to suffer from breathing problems related to her unit, she goes head to head with apartment staff in a protest. Then, just when she believes Forest Cove’s situation is about to improve, the renovation plan is put in doubt.

Millennia defends itself against reports of poor conditions in its properties. As Ms. Peaches begins to suffer from breathing problems related to her unit, she goes head to head with apartment staff in a protest. Then, just when she believes Forest Cove’s situation is about to improve, the renovation plan is put in doubt.

'I feel hurt'

Forest Cove received over 500 housing code complaints and violations over a five-year period, according to an analysis of city records by WABE. The complex also failed numerous federal inspections going back. And yet, the complex kept operating with poor conditions. Housing attorneys say there’s no incentive for the private owners to make repairs. 

Forest Cove received over 500 housing code complaints and violations over a five-year period, according to an analysis of city records by WABE. The complex also failed numerous federal inspections going back. And yet, the complex kept operating with poor conditions. Housing attorneys say there’s no incentive for the private owners to make repairs.&nbsp;

The problem everyone knows about

Life at Forest Cove doesn't improve after the complex's sale to Millennia. The renovation can't begin until residents are off the property. But there are continued delays in the relocation process. Then, a tragedy takes place at the apartments that shakes Ms. Peaches and her neighbors.

Life at Forest Cove doesn't improve after the complex's sale to Millennia. The renovation can't begin until residents are off the property. But there are continued delays in the relocation process. Then, a tragedy takes place at the apartments that shakes Ms. Peaches and her neighbors.

'When's this gonna stop?'

As the Forest Cove property sits in limbo, residents can feel abandoned. Still, Ms. Peaches tries to keep order, advocating for residents and scolding them for not respecting the complex. Then, comes the complex’s long-awaited sale to a new company, called Millennia, which promises real change.

As the Forest Cove property sits in limbo, residents can feel abandoned. Still, Ms. Peaches tries to keep order, advocating for residents and scolding them for not respecting the complex. Then, comes the complex’s long-awaited sale to a new company, called Millennia, which promises real change.

The sale

Ms. Peaches has waited years for better conditions at Forest Cove, as her floor collapses, rats run across her kitchen and her yard fills with trash. But when a letter arrives signaling possible change, she and other residents have trouble believing. In the past, the private companies who’ve run the publicly-funded complex haven’t followed through with their plans. 

Ms. Peaches has waited years for better conditions at Forest Cove, as her floor collapses, rats run across her kitchen and her yard fills with trash. But when a letter arrives signaling possible change, she and other residents have trouble believing. In the past, the private companies who’ve run the publicly-funded complex haven’t followed through with their plans.&nbsp;

'Like we're not human.'

The federally-subsidized apartment complex known as Forest Cove has some of the worst conditions in Atlanta. For years, tenants sought help with the rats, burned out units and trash that surrounded them. Nothing ever changed. The residents' only choice was to wait on a long-promised renovation. Then, at the very moment construction was set to begin, that promise fell apart. The Last Year at Forest Cove is an investigative series following one resident who continued fighting for better conditions despite broken commitments from private companies and inaction from the government. Hosted by WABE's Stephannie Stokes. Explore WABE's coverage here: https://www.wabe.org/forestcove/

The federally-subsidized apartment complex known as Forest Cove has some of the worst conditions in Atlanta. For years, tenants sought help with the rats, burned out units and trash that surrounded them. Nothing ever changed. The residents' only choice was to wait on a long-promised renovation. Then, at the very moment construction was set to begin, that promise fell apart. The Last Year at Forest Cove is an investigative series following one resident who continued fighting for better conditions despite broken commitments from private companies and inaction from the government. Hosted by WABE's Stephannie Stokes. Explore WABE's coverage here: https://www.wabe.org/forestcove/

The Last Year at Forest Cove

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