As Owens recovers, police seek leads

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The sister of Matthew Owens, Ashley Parker, said her brother is recovering well.

"He's getting better and better everyday due to everyone's prayers," said Parker.

Parker said Owens is getting 18 staples removed Thursday and he may have to see a neurologist. His family said his attorney has advised him against talking to the media.

Neighbors say the community is still trying to move on from the incident. A group called the People United to Advance the Dream wants to help them to do that with a cookout it's hosting Saturday.

Neighbors said they received a a flyer last week inviting them to the cook out. They said it will be set up at the end of their street.

" I think it's a great idea if it's going to be carried out the way it's supposed to be carried out," said a neighbor, Calvin Speed.

Another neighbor who didn't want to be identified said it's too soon.

"Right now it's still too fresh in people's minds you know it's still... it's too raw right now," the neighbor said.

Speed disagrees.

"What is too soon? I mean it should have probably happened a week before the incident," Speed said.

So far, the Mobile Police Department has arrested Terry Rawls, 44, and charged him with first-degree assault.

Police believe another man and a woman were also involved. But they cannot move on those suspicions until they have a witness or more evidence that shows they were involved in Owens' April 26 beating on Delmar Drive in Mobile.