Spyboy Ricky in black. Photo by Charles Silver.
[UPDATED] Spyboy Ricky Gettridge, a New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian associated with the Yellow Pocahontas, tried to vote on May 16, 2011. He was denied the right to vote and arrested shortly after.
According to Delores Antoine, Gettridge’s former spouse and now close friend, “In 2002, Ricky was placed on probation for two years for writing a bad check in Orleans Parish. Ricky thought his parole was over in 2004. However, in 2006, after Hurricane Katrina, Ricky was placed on a five-year probation and an arrest warrant was sent out, but he never received it.”
Gettridge went to register to vote, but when he tried to do so on May 16, 2011 he was told to go to prove his eligibility and obtain his criminal record. Norris Henderson, director and founder of Voice of the Ex-Offender said that “Ricky was a member [of Voice of the Ex-Defender] and he went with another member to vote and was told there was a flag on his record. Ricky went to the Parole and Violations Office to get the flag removed and was arrested.” He was arrested when he arrived at the second office in violation of his 2006 probation.
Gettridge has been in jail since May 16. He was transferred from Orleans Parish Prison to the Jefferson Parish Jail on May 23. The court is requiring a $2,000 restitution and $6,000 in parole penalties and court costs for his release. If these fees aren’t paid, Ricky will spend 10 years in jail. A fundraiser for Gettridge was held last month. Those who want more information or to help can write spyboyricky@audiblevision.com.
UPDATE July 1, 9:45 a.m.
As JusticeNewOrleans points out in our Comments section, Gettridge went to register to vote, not to vote, and Norris Henderson founded the Voice of the Ex-Offender. The text has been changed to reflect these corrections. Also, JusticeNewOrleans tells us:
“Because of the outpouring of community support, especially from the Mardi Gras Indian community and the incredible Indian practice fundraiser organized and put on by numerous Indian chiefs in the city at the Golden Feather Mardi Gras Indian Gallery and Resturaunt, the community raised the funds necessary and Spyboy Ricky was released from Jefferson Parish Correctional Facility on June 24, 2011. Thank you for the article raising awareness of the injustices and unfairness in the criminal justice system.”
