Monday, August 15, 2011

An Abomination Beyond Measure- Part 2

A link to "An Abomination Beyond Measure- Part 1": 

http://evilforalltime.blogspot.com/2011/07/abomination-beyond-measure.html

 
"no response is the worst response..."



The dramatics that unfolded listed below was another instance of human cruelty. Somehow, this story has managed to distance away from the always prevalent surge and current of viral media circulation. I was personally made aware of this modern day and racially charged “lynching” via word of mouth, of which instantaneously generated waves of grief and distrust on a personal level. The sense of distrust will become more and more apparent as you process the information provided. 

According to authorities, on June 26, 2011, a group of teenagers outside of Jackson, Mississippi rode out in their pickup trucks after a late night parting and drinking to “mess with some niggers.” The small group was successful in their hunt while roaming the streets in their dark-green Ford F250 pickup truck by targeting James Craig Anderson, age 47.


Surveillance footage obtained from a nearby hotel was able to record the mindless course of violence that took place. The video shows the alleged attackers encountering Anderson on the hotel’s parking lot and proceeded to physically assault him with barrage of kicks and punches. After taking turns violently beating Anderson into the pavement, several of the teenagers got into the F250 pickup, and while Anderson tried to stumble away for help, the driver ran him down.



Deryl Dedmon, Jr., 18, was the teenager behind the wheel of the Ford truck that killed Anderson, police said. He has been charged with murder and being held in the Hinds County jail on an $800,000 bond. John Aaron Rice, 18,  joined in the beating of James Craig Anderson, is charged with aggravated assault. Authorities believe he was in another car and had driven away before Anderson was killed.  Rice posted a $5,000 bond and was released, though Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith said a grand jury expected to meet in the coming weeks could still indict Rice on a murder charge. At least 5 other teenagers are believed to have been with the two at the time, but none has been charged.



If convicted of a hate crime, the teens' sentences could be increased. Attorneys for both teens dispute that their clients were involved in a racially motivated attack. With these actions drenched in premeditation, of course, the attorneys were asked for an on air rebuttal but they refused to comment. That particular course of action can prove to be even more detrimental toward their defense; usually no response is the worst response of all…

There’s been some debate across the blogosphere with a depiction of shock and disbelief, given the years of assumed “progressive” levels that has been made in regards to race relations. Alternatively, we, as a multi-cultural nation, continue to stand at an arguable impasse with mountains of counter-productive obstructions, smearing our last strains of optimism.

Will these teens receive a thorough and contemptuous battle of blame within our modern-day justice system? That being said, at the time this blog was posted (mid-August 2011) we currently have accused murder suspect Troy Davis sitting on Death-Row.




Davis was charged with shooting Savannah based policeman Mark MacPhail based on evidence and testimony from eye-witnesses. 

 
These tragic events took place during a very late hour with some of the witnesses observing a scuffle between arguing men. 

After Davis’ arrest, the prostitution’s attempt to portray him as a villainous cop-killer began to develop a number of inconsistencies as the years continued to pass by. Despite public outrage, rallies, and campaigns from prominent public figures and politicians (even the freakin’ Pope circa 2007) for appeals & re-trials, Davis will continue to sit in Death-Row as numerous attempts for an appeal have been constantly declined. 


His 20-year stay would gradually result in three separate attempts to seal Davis’ fate via death by execution. All three dates (July 17, 2007, September 23, 2008, and October 27, 2008) were met with opposition from Davis’ defense board. They presented multiple facts of doubt and conflict towards his ultimate conviction. With a sense of bloodlust about them, the legal system have made exhaustive efforts to reassure the general public that “justice” must be served and that Davis will ultimately be put to death.

On March 28, 2011 the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Troy Davis' appeals and set the stage for him to possibly face a soon to be announced fourth execution date. Since then, 7 out of the 9 state's non-police witnesses from the trial have recanted or contradicted their testimony. Many of these witnesses have stated in sworn affidavits that they were pressured or coerced by police into testifying or signing statements against Troy Davis.

In May 2011, Amnesty International and People of Faith Against the Death Penalty asked religious leaders to sign a letter to the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles calling for the commutation of Davis' death sentence. As of May 5, 2011, more than 1,600 people had signed the letter. 


Amnesty International have been spearheading a long-time, collective movement to involve the voice of the public to promote the opposition of Davis’ fate. All documents can be viewed and downloaded here:

http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/cases/usa-troy-davis?id=1011343