Exclusive WCCB Interview with the Ferrell Family

TALLAHASSEE, FL — A young man shot and killed by a Charlotte Mecklenburg police officer. A controversial trial that left his family angry and empty.

WCCB Charlotte went to Tallahassee, Florida for an exclusive interview with Jonathan Ferrell’s brother and mother, as the family tries to move on.

“We’re like twin brothers that have different birthdays,” says Willie Ferrell

That’s the way Georgia Ferrell always described her sons Jonathan and Willie. 16 months between the boys. Jonathan was older. Willie the bigger, little brother.

“I want to walk in his footsteps,” says Willie. “And I want to live exactly like Jonathan. He was the person who taught me pretty much everything that I know.”

They grew up together, became football stars; even teammates at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. But Jonathan was taken from his family; shot and killed by a Charlotte Mecklenburg police officer in 2013, changing this family forever.

“His soul hopping out of his body hopped into mine,” says Willie. “And him living with me for the rest of my life, and until we meet again.”

“Jonathan will always be wearing on my shirt,” says his mother Georgia. “Jon will always live in my heart.”

Georgia and Willie are keeping Jonathan’s memory alive. Reminding any who will listen of a very different man than the one portrayed in the courtroom, and seen on police dash cam video, during last summer’s trial for the officer who shot and killed him; a trial that finished with a hung jury.

“Remember Jonathan as a very happy, loving person; caring person,” says Georgia.

“It was a big toll, but it was something good that came up out of it,” says Willie. “Jonathan’s death was able to change close to 8,000 people’s lives, kids lives.”

The family received a more than $2 million settlement from the City of Charlotte, and Willie says they are using that money to build a foundation that helps send less fortunate kids to college.

Willie is also using his new passion to help.

“Boxing was something that pretty much found me man,” says Willie.

Willie Ferrell is a fighter. A former college heavyweight champion. And now a professional boxer.

He fights for more than money, part of which he donates to Jonathan’s foundation, for more than fame. He fights with his brother there in spirit, to keep his memory alive.

“Just to picture him and know that he’s in that room with me,” says Willie. “And to know that when I’m walking out, he’s walking out with me. Keep my note in my socks that Jonathan wrote me, and just know that everything will be alright.”

Willie spent more than an hour at Jonathan’s grave site before his professional boxing debut in Florida last weekend. He won the fight in a split decision.