Woman's Torture is not being considered a hate crime? - Page 2

Jeffbx · 10-23-2009, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clutchy

it makes me wonder, since getting a "hate crime" designation gets you in prison for alot longer would these guys have pleaded it out to try and spend less time in prison where as if they'd fought it and lost they could have been looking at some serious time.

hate crime designation needs to go. I'm going to go ahead and start calling anyone who supports a hate crime designation a racist.

Yeah, I'm not sure what it's supposed to accomplish, unless the intention was to be able to hand out stiffer punishments to LESSER crimes - for example, you might not get 10 years for beating someone up in a bar fight, but add the 'hate crime' designation in there & they can hand out a stiffer punishment.

But I'm surprised it wouldn't be an ADDITIONAL charge, on top of the kidnapping, rape, or whatever more serious crimes.

As far as this case, it does seem kinda fishy that she recanted everything but these guys all confessed. I can't imagine all their lawyers would recommend confession to something that they say didn't happen.

attgig · 10-23-2009, 09:38 AM

they may have confessed before any lawyers were in the picture. maybe the cops coerced testimony?

either that, or the boyfriend wants to get back with the emotionally needy girl, and he'll only get back with her if she says she made it all up.

who the hell knows.

it's all crap.

VTGreg · 10-23-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFury

Based on the quoting of Guisseppee's post above by VTGreg...

What am I wrong about? The jury is still out on the competency of this lady's testimony. The people who went to jail... went there based on their own testimony and the physical evidence that matched said testimony.

Just because the "victim" is claiming that she did it to herself... doesn't mean that SHE actually did it to herself. More news about the "victim" is not pointing to evidence that she is somewhat "mentally unstable". So more or less, you can't go by what she says.

Those people who are in jail for this case probably are not "innocent". But for now, you can't really trust the statements that are being given by the victim since they seem to be all over the place. Her own mother even said that she was "slow"...

Here is another article about this from the Associated Press where they discuss the issue: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...dVXDgD9BG09H80

So stop waggin' the "you're wrong" finger until someone can absolutely prove that it is wrong. Nobody knows at this point.

While I agree with your sentiment that no one knows what happened, it does strike me as wrong that these individuals are in jail when there is obviously a reasonable doubt whether they committed any crime. As others have stated, maybe they plead guilty to get a reduced sentence since they figured there was never any chance they wouldn't be convicted.

guiseppewv · 10-23-2009, 10:39 AM

I have the same problem with it. If the shoe was on the other foot, i.e. if the races were reversed there would be an outcry from the NAACP and the 6 people in jail would have already been out plus there would be talks about how the 6 were railroaded.

DarkFury · 10-23-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTGreg

While I agree with your sentiment that no one knows what happened, it does strike me as wrong that these individuals are in jail when there is obviously a reasonable doubt whether they committed any crime. As others have stated, maybe they plead guilty to get a reduced sentence since they figured there was never any chance they wouldn't be convicted.

Evidence was there that a crime was committed... even if that crime was "domestic violence abuse".

But as you may know, domestic abuse sometimes goes unreported... but that doesn't mean that the crime didn't happen. If the cops get involved with it... they'll make it a point to press the issue legally.

Just look at Chis Brown/Rhianna case... Rhianna didn't want to press charges, but they prosecuted Chris Brown anyway... based on the evidence given with her photos and the police testimony as to what he saw after the incident. Now granted, Chris Brown didn't get "jail time"... but that's celebrity at work moreso than anything.

All I'm still saying now is... you can't really trust what ANY of these folks are saying now. It's a farked up situation. If the folks in jail hadn't plead guilty to stuff they didn't do, then maybe they'd have a case for dismissal, but as it is... they did. I don't know which side is lying now, but hey... it sure looks fishy from both sides if you ask me. Too bad the victim can't be trusted due to her "mental condition" so that the State has to take action on her behalf.

guiseppewv · 10-23-2009, 12:56 PM

Their pleas are irrelevant. When faced with the choice between sure imprisonment plus having the book thrown at you because the main witness for the prosecution will purjur themselves against you and getting a more lenient sentence then some people will take the guilty plea. This is especially true if you are ignorant and/or have a bad public defender/attorney.

DarkFury · 10-23-2009, 02:27 PM

Is guiseppewv trying to tell me something...? I guess I gotta "view post" to see what he's saying...

Oh... something about the defendants. I'm sure they are COMPLETELY innocent now with this flip flopping victim. Sure... thing.

They absolutely had nothing to do with this... yeah... right.

Funny thing is... every case I've ever seen with multiple perps... someone will rat on the others to save his own skin, and usually someone gets off. Look at the Vick case with the dogs... they ratted on him and got their own sentences reduced/eliminated. But maybe all of the folks involved in this case are ignorant backwoods hicks that don't know sh@t from shineola or something. Who knows...

I still don't think they are 100% innocent though unless some better proof comes out to prove that. Some pyschological counseling on the victim might be a good place to start.

BTW.. go back to the ORIGINAL article I posted. It states there the following:

Quote:

Previous arrest records
Police tape now surrounds the entrances to the beige-and-brown mobile home. An extension cord runs from the home to a cramped shed where authorities believe Megan Williams was held with a portable stereo, a locker and a power saw.

The suspects in the case have previous arrest records going back several years, according to records from Logan County Magistrate Court, and Abraham said he had “some familiarity with all those individuals.”

Since 1991, police have filed 108 criminal charges against the six.

Brewster’s mother, Frankie Brewster, 49, faced the most serious charges among them. She was charged in 1994 with first-degree murder, but pleaded guilty to lesser charges of manslaughter and wanton endangerment. She was released from prison in 2000 after serving five years in the death of 84-year-old Polly T. Ferrell, court records show.

Six in custody
In Williams’ case, Frankie Brewster is charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, malicious wounding and giving false information during a felony investigation.

Bobby Brewster, 24, also of Big Creek, is charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, malicious wounding and assault during the commission of a felony.

Danny J. Combs, 20, of Harts, is charged with sexual assault and malicious wounding.

Karen Burton, 46, of Chapmanville was charged with malicious wounding, battery and assault during the commission of a felony.

Burton’s daughter, Alisha Burton, 23, and George A. Messer, 27, both of Chapmanville, are charged with assault during the commission of a felony and battery. She previously faced charges of assault during the commission of a felony and battery; in May, she was accused of striking Messer with a shovel and smashing the window of a woman’s car. The charges are pending.

All six remained in custody Wednesday in lieu of $100,000 bail each.

Sounds like a "lively" bunch they got there. Really "innocent type" folks to say the least.

clutchy · 10-23-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFury

So stop waggin' the "you're wrong" finger until someone can absolutely prove that it is wrong. Nobody knows at this point.

that's not the way our justice system works there big guy.

guiseppewv · 10-23-2009, 03:03 PM

Is DF trying to tell me something? Oh, I guess I'll have to look above and read his post.

Your point is not germane to this discussion. None of the defendants "rolled over" on the other ones, so what was your point in bringing this up?

So, now that the statment of the "victim" can be used as evidence there is reasonable doubt to every charge listed in your quote. Take note that there is a charge of "giving false information during a felony investigation" listed for one of the accused.

They are a motley crew but that doesn't make them guilty of this crime.

DarkFury · 10-23-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clutchy

that's not the way our justice system works there big guy.

Unfortunately, it is the way our justice system works...

Time and time again.

But as always... believe what you want. I'm sure the media will keep tabs on this case to see what develops from it.

Until then, I'm pretty much done discussing it as I've already pointed out the obvious parts now we wait for the "hidden" stuff to develop. Feel free to keep debating and pondering it.

BTW... here is some more info for you to chew on. One of the captors in a RECENT interview is still admitting that they did everthing to that woman... totally going against what the victim said.

Now on that point... I'd admit that this wasn't a "hate crime" but more a crime of taking advantage of someone who really couldn't defend themselves due to mental instability. The victim could have been of ANY race and still had this done. But that's as far as I'm willing to compromise as far as the GUILT of the six in jail go. Here is a link to the story on the continued confession of one of the attackers:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569374,00.html

Quote:

Convicted Woman Says W. Va. Woman was Tortured

Friday, October 23, 2009
Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A woman imprisoned for her role in the 2007 kidnapping and torture of a black woman by seven white men and women said Friday the victim wasn't telling the truth when she denied this week that the attack occurred.

Frankie Brewster told WCHS-TV in Charleston that multiple crimes were committed against Megan Williams during the attack in West Virginia's rural Logan County, about 50 miles south of Charleston.

An attorney representing Williams said Wednesday that she is now recanting statements incriminating Brewster, her son Bobby and five others. All seven pleaded guilty and six are serving lengthy prison terms.

Brian Abraham, the Logan County prosecutor in 2007, also has dismissed Williams' new story, saying the convictions were based on the defendants' own statements and physical evidence rather than what Williams said.

Williams originally said her captors, including boyfriend Bobby Brewster, beat her, raped her, forced her to drink urine and eat feces, poured hot wax on her and taunted her with racial slurs in a trailer in Logan County. Williams was rescued after a passer-by heard cries from the shed where she was kept and an anonymous caller tipped off sheriff's deputies.

Brewster is rejecting Williams' new version of events.

"It did happen," Brewster said during the interview at the Lakin Correctional Center, where she is serving 10 to 25 years. "All of us participated."

Brewster denied that race or Williams' relationship with her son started the series of crimes. Rather, she blamed a co-defendant who accused Williams of stealing.

While Brewster would not detail her own actions, she acknowledged having improper contact with Williams. Brewster pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault in the case.

Brewster also said that race wasn't a factor and she said some of the crimes did not occur at her trailer home.

"I just want the truth out and for people take responsibility for what they did," Brewster said.

The Associated Press has asked, through prison officials and lawyers, to speak with all six prisoners. So far, only Bobby Brewster has said, through prison officials, that he will not give interviews.

10-23-2009, 09:38 AM	#32
attgig Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: the burbs of baltimore Posts: 11,924	they may have confessed before any lawyers were in the picture. maybe the cops coerced testimony? either that, or the boyfriend wants to get back with the emotionally needy girl, and he'll only get back with her if she says she made it all up. who the hell knows. it's all crap. __________________

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10-23-2009, 10:39 AM	#34
guiseppewv Admiral Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: East coast Posts: 7,116	I have the same problem with it. If the shoe was on the other foot, i.e. if the races were reversed there would be an outcry from the NAACP and the 6 people in jail would have already been out plus there would be talks about how the 6 were railroaded.

10-23-2009, 12:56 PM	#36
guiseppewv Admiral Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: East coast Posts: 7,116	Their pleas are irrelevant. When faced with the choice between sure imprisonment plus having the book thrown at you because the main witness for the prosecution will purjur themselves against you and getting a more lenient sentence then some people will take the guilty plea. This is especially true if you are ignorant and/or have a bad public defender/attorney.

10-23-2009, 03:03 PM	#39
guiseppewv Admiral Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: East coast Posts: 7,116	Is DF trying to tell me something? Oh, I guess I'll have to look above and read his post. Your point is not germane to this discussion. None of the defendants "rolled over" on the other ones, so what was your point in bringing this up? So, now that the statment of the "victim" can be used as evidence there is reasonable doubt to every charge listed in your quote. Take note that there is a charge of "giving false information during a felony investigation" listed for one of the accused. They are a motley crew but that doesn't make them guilty of this crime.

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