Mother Of Murdered Tulsan Offers Forgiveness

By Lori Fullbright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa's first murder of the New Year was a 15-year-old boy, who was shot while visiting a friend's house.  Kordero Coleman's mother has only memories left.  And, even though it's been eight days since Kordero was killed, he hasn't been buried; there's been no funeral because his family can't afford one.

Kordero Coleman and his brother, Curtis, were living with their father, while their mother went through a tough time of her own.  They went to a friend's house to pick up a game they'd loaned and were only there minutes, when someone from across the street fired shots into the house and Kordero was hit in the back of the head and died.

"It's scary and today seems like an epidemic and needs to stop. We need to figure out a way to stop them, need to motivate our children," said Kordero's mother, Yolanda Jamison.

The family is from Chicago, so Kordero was a big Chicago Bulls fan and loved playing football, plus he was in Boy Scouts.  His two older brothers were Eagle Scouts.

"Kordero was not shy. He's a funny character. He laughed a lot, joked a lot, Kordero was very smart and intelligent," said Kordero's mother, Yolanda Jamison.

She says he'd often finish his work early, get bored and become disruptive and that's why he'd been suspended in December.

She says she's glad police made an arrest in the case and knowing Kevin Silmon is behind bars has helped start the healing process.  And, although she wants those responsible punished, she's not filled with hate.

"I forgive them, the young men.  I forgive them. They don't know what they're really doing," said Kordero's mother, Yolanda Jamison.

The Kordero Coleman Funeral Fund has been set up at Bank of America.  The family needs about $400 more.

The suspect, Kevin Silmon, remains in jail with no bond.  Tulsa Police say they don't have enough evidence on the second suspect yet to get a warrant.

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