Reported by The Center for Investigative Reporting

On August 2, 2007, journalist Chauncey Bailey was gunned down in Oakland, California. Bailey was investigating Your Black Muslim Bakery, a once prominent Oakland African-American organization. The next day, Bakery leader Yusuf Bey IV was arrested during a raid for a separate kidnapping case. Police placed Bey and two associates involved in the case, his brother Joshua Bey and Tamon Halfin, in a San Leandro police department room, where they were secretly videotaped.

Bey IV has repeatedly told police he knew nothing about Bailey’s death. But, on the tape, Bey IV says he hid the gun used in the attack, and brags of playing “hella dumb” when investigators asked him about the killing.

Bey IV, 22, hasn’t been arrested or charged in connection with Bailey’s Aug. 2 slaying. Oakland Police have charged only one of his associates, Devaughndre Broussard, now 20, who claimed, at least initially, that he acted alone. The secret video raises fresh questions about Bey IV’s possible role in the crime and why police haven’t brought charges against others in the high-profile slaying, according to experts who viewed the tape at the request of the Chauncey Bailey Project.

>> Read the article in the Oakland Tribune. Similar stories are also appearing on KTVU, KGO, KQED and New America Media and in the SF Bay Guardian, Contra Costa Times and other Bay Area News Group publications.

>> Listen to CIR Executive Director Robert Rosenthal and reporter Tom Peele discuss The Chauncey Bailey Project on Forum with Michael Krasny.

WEB EXTRAS:

>> Van owner: I gave the keys to Bey IV

One of the key discrepancies in the case revolves around the white van Broussard said he used to get to the scene of the shooting. Documents obtained by The Chauncey Bailey Project raise questions about circumstances surrounding the van.

>> Audio: Chauncey Bailey Project reporter Bob Butler reports on the investigation.

Visit The Chauncey Bailey Project Web site for Web exclusives and links to more stories.

Your support matters…

Independent journalism is under threat and overshadowed by heavily funded mainstream media.

You can help level the playing field. Become a member.

Your tax-deductible contribution keeps us digging beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that unearths what's really happening- without compromise.

Give today to support our courageous, independent journalists.

SUPPORT TRUTHDIG