If the problems in Jena, Louisiana weren’t enough – news has just surfaced from Logan, West Virginia of a malicious HATE CRIME against a 23 year old black female by 6 whites.
During her capture, the victim was forced to eat rat and dog feces and drink from the toilet, according to the criminal complaint filed in magistrate court. The woman also was choked with a cable cord and her hair cut, it alleges.
One of those arrested, Karen Burton, is accused of cutting the woman’s ankle with a knife. She used a racist word in telling the woman she was victimized because she is black, according to the criminal complaint.
49 Comments
September 12, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Here we go again. Big Creek or Logan, not really sure what they call it, Big Creek West Virginia has a population of 1,537 – 91.9% of that is white and 4.8% is black. According to a published report in the West Virginia Times the writer began his article like this:
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In a forlorn part of Logan County, where the scattered homes are marked by “No Trespassing” signs, an old shed is connected to a mobile home by an extension cord.
For more than a week, police said this shed became a hellish prison for 20-year-old Megan Williams, who was held captive, beaten, stabbed, humiliated and sexually assaulted.
READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
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The first thing that comes to my mind is White Trailer Trash (sorry but I had to say it) This is the most satanic of all crimes. The FBI is of course investigating how this young black woman came to this family. It appears to be a kidnaping, but it really doesn’t matter because this is indeed 100% a hate crime. It’s also reported that one of the mothers, Frankie Brewster, age 49 served 5 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter of an 84 year old in 2000.
This is another example of that small town (population 1537) racist mentality.
Don’t sleep! This country is headed to a very bad place. In the words of Gill Scott Heron:
“The revolution will not be televised!”
September 13, 2007 at 2:46 pm
The more I find out about this story, the worst it gets. My girlfriend sent a link to Smoking Gun where they show all 6 defendants, as well as the police reports (11) taken when this young woman was rescued. It makes me sick to my stomach to read the horrors this young woman suffered at the hands of satanic people.
The Smoking Gun
September 13, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Hey ! I just wanted to drop a line and say thanks for the link on your blog to mine. I’m definitely adding you to my blogroll, we need to connect with all the people on WordPress who are down for blogging about justice.
The revolution is DEFINITELY NOT being televised !
-b
September 21, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Does anyone know where we can send cards and letters to this poor, young woman? I would like to let her know that the true Americans are with her and praying for her full recovery.
September 22, 2007 at 11:13 am
My mother’s family is from Logan County and I lived there for about 2 years when I was in junior high school. This area of the country is like a third world country within our nation (btw pvdugas- VA and WV are two separate states and we Virginians hate it when the two get confused
. Poverty, unemployment, ignorance, religious intolerance and racism are the norm there. I am a Southerner, a Virginian, and never experienced blatant racism until I spent time in Logan County when, riding the bus to school one day, I saw the remains of a burnt cross in the yard of the only black family that lived on a particular street. I hope these people are locked up and never see the light of day again.
September 23, 2007 at 2:42 am
Oops. sorry about that it was clearly a mistake, I WAS FURIOUS as I was writing it. I should have said WEST VIRGINIA!
I stand corrected.
When I saw that the population was 1537 everything you say came to mind.
As for writing to the young woman, I’m sure the family is following the posts on the internet. I’ve been following the story and while church leaders are fighting for a civil rights violation and hate crimes, they are pushing for harsher measures. A hate crime would only get them 10 years in jail. The sexual charges carry 15 to 35 years. They are pursuing state charges which will get them LIFE!
From various articles:
One of the six suspects arrested in the case, Bobby Brewster, had a previous relationship with the woman, Logan County Prosecutor Brian Abraham said. He told the Associated Press that Brewster had been charged in July with domestic battery and assault after an argument involving the same woman.
“She obviously had some sort of social relationship,” Abraham said. “That is based on the fact that she was present at his residence on a prior date.”
Among the new allegations, she said hot wax was poured on her, and that two of her captors forced her to drink a cup of their urine.
The suspects in the case have previous arrest records going back many years, according to records from Logan County Magistrate Court. Police have filed 108 criminal charges against the six since 1991.
Williams, who clutched a small teddy bear in court, was wearing a brace on her right hand and a bandage on her left ankle. She was accompanied by her parents, and her mother held her through portions of the proceeding.
Police said Bobby Brewster raped Williams, forced her to lick blood and drink from a toilet, and told his mother to kill Williams if she tried to escape.
Carmen Williams had not reported her daughter missing, saying Megan Williams often disappeared for weeks at a time. Her mother stated she has mental issues.
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Okay, I’ve also been reading the blogs and LET ME BE REAL CLEAR ON THIS:
I don’t care if she knew the boy…it doesn’t matter if she had a mental handicap or not – SHE DID NOT DESERVE THE TREATMENT SHE GOT.
If you ask me, they should pass up any court hearings and just send them all straight to the electric chair. I believe the world is watching this one.
September 26, 2007 at 3:34 am
Responding to the comment made on the Megan William’s page on your personal website.
Dear Genius,
We know unfortunately Megan Williams is mentally challenged, but what the hell is wrong with you?
It is obvious that in a battle of “wits” you would be totally disarmed.
First of all, try using spell-check…I’ll help you out: (1) just copy and paste to Word, (2) correct your spelling and (3) copy and paste it here. This will disguise some of your blatant ignorance.
What could possibly be your logic in bringing up rumors about this woman’s character to justify these crimes when there are 108 documented criminal charges on these Brewster Hillbillies.
If you’re trying to determine guilt based on criminal records, can you count up to 108?
But forget all that, because I know that no matter what logic you hear, you’ll always take the COWARDLY way out.
Your position will always be that white people have never done anything wrong to black people and that black people are always wrong no matter what.
That doesn’t matter because at the end of the day, the one piece of satisfaction we get as black people will ALWAYS be, that racists are COWARDS by nature.
That’s why those sissy white boys in Alexandria purposely waited until nightfall when there were no black people on the street, to hang the nooses on their trucks. If they really had any guts they would have done it in Jena in the middle of the day. Black people would have more respect for them if they did.
I figured out one possible reason white males castrated black men when they lynched them. Besides being envious of the superior strength and sexual virility of black men, they mentally have no balls themselves…so they surgically remove the physical testicles of dead men to try and make themselves feel better?
How sick is that? That’s why Malcolm X called them blue eyed devils. I don’t need you to confirm that this was Satanic.
They’ve been running around for years pretending that it’s “hate” that drives them. The reality is, it’s really FEAR. White males are ultimately afraid of black men. And that’s the truth.
Racists are always talking about the 6 on 1 in the Jena case. What about this? Go to
http://www.withoutsanctuary.org/main.html
http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?
and COUNT THE NUMBER OF COWARD WHITE MALES YOU SEE!
Don from South Central LA. Like thousands of black men around the country, I am definitely not scared…and if any of you would like to come from behind those keyboards and have some one on one meetings in South Central, Harlem, Chicago, Philly, etc., just let us know. We would gladly respond.
September 27, 2007 at 8:13 am
In court testimony Tuesday, authorities said they’ve determined that Williams had been kidnapped and held against her will at the Big Creek mobile home residence since August 2 – well over a month.
Bobby Brewster was released from jail on August 2nd, for the domestic charges filed against him by Megan in July 2007. They clearly set her up to come to the shack! OMG — Her Uncle from New york has spoken out in the case.
Also, kidnapping charges will be filed which carry a LIFE sentence. Little Megan will get justice!
Here’s the link to the Wilmington news article:
Black Press
September 28, 2007 at 10:55 am
I grew up in Lincoln County, West Virginia. If you look at the map you will find that it borders Logan County.
Its amazing to see photos of people who live there and see how…trashy they look. Poverty is a dangerous situation. Logan County always scared me. Even in HS when our school would play Logan in basketball the highschool was “freaky”. It just seemed like it should be condemned. I left WV in ‘98 and I haven’t been back. Mostly because of this type of situation. I remember in HS we had an african american kid start school, he lasted 2 days. He never came back. I have never been that way. It amazes me how “backwoods” people can still be. Its the year 2007 people. Everyone is equal. I don’t know why we hang on to such hate.
Even if this wasn’t a black/white thing or a woman/man thing. This is severly deranged. These people should go to prison. Lets see what happens to them in there. People don’t like rapists and abusers. And this girl was still a child.
It just breaks my heart. I read the local paper where im from from time to time just to keep in touch with my roots. (Most of my family still lives in Lincoln County) and this is what I find? I’m glad I left.
October 3, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Regarding donnieinla’s post, I didn’t read the post of the person you were responding to, but I would agree that all racism comes from fear. Secondly, I don’t know the context in which this person brought up Megan’s mental abilities, but I think the reason other people bring it up is to highlight even more how cowardly these six people were – her mental abilities made them think she’s be the easiest mark for there sick, sick, twisted behavior. Similar to the two weak sickos in Jasper that dragged that poor mentally handicapped black man from the back of their truck – they hate an entire race, then select the most disabled – because these predators are weak pathetic cowards. These people are disgusting. I saw another blogger that thought they should be drawn and quartered for what they’ve done – I have to say in theory that would be more appropriate to match their crimes than any death penalty method we advocate in the states today.
pvdugas – I’m white, and you have no need to apologize for calling them white trash, I’ll call them hillbillies myself – and after all the assistance they were giving each other in aiding in the abuse during sexual assaults, you have my backing to even call them inbred six-toed hillbillies.
Here in TX, they’d get death, we have that option (i believe even in kidnapping especially with a weapon) – if they get life, which I hope everyone of them do, they should also be ‘fixed’ so there is no way they could ever spawn any more evil – they are the real live version of the Texas Chainsaw Masacre family.
I do believe trying the case on the most severe charges first, committed against an American citizen (regardless of race) is the surest way to ensure they get the maximum sentence – her physical injuries can’t be debated and have been well documented. I think all of America (regardless of race) would be terrified to hear these people got anything less than a life sentence. I’m disgusted to hear Frankie Brewster only got 5 years for killing the mother of her boyfriend (who was white). I do believe they are racist, and believe ‘hate crime’ should be added to the list of charges after they ensure they are all conviceted for the first two crimes that bring life and 35 years. I also believe attempted murder should clearly be added to the list – what were they going to eventually do with her? I mean seriously, where they just going to let her go, or keep her abused for years, then let her go? B.S., they were going to kill her, in threatening to do it multiple times, and holding her there to be killed should all be evidence enough to bring the charge to the table.
October 3, 2007 at 10:17 pm
And people wonder why Blacks “complain” so much.
I work at a healthcare company where we are rquired to keep CNN on 24/7 in case of a national disaster.
When I 1st read about Megan Williams (via email from concerned Blacks) CNN was looping a story of a little white girl who was a victim of a child porn ring.
When I 1st read of JENA 6 (which has gone on for almost a YEAR) last month CNN was looping a story of a little white girl from England who went “missing” from her hotel room where her parents claimed to have left her alone for a few hours.
Local news has ZERO coverage of either event until grassroot efforts from mostly Black individuals and Civil Rights groups forced the issue.
The truth in this country is if a person of color harms a white women or child it instantly becomes regional/national news. If we harm each other it may merit local coverage (unless it is a riot than it is instantly WORLDWIDE news). Sadly if it is a white person harming minorities of ANY kind the news does EVERYTHING within it’s power to suppress it… especially if the victim is poor.
I will do my part to make sure this story is NOT swept under the rug by forwarding this link to several civil rights lawyers I’m connected with.
KNOWLEDGE will ALWAYS be POWER, stay strong in the fight against Injustice!
October 3, 2007 at 11:40 pm
Hey So Sorry:
Donnieinla was talking about a comment from the Megan Williams Page on my website – the comment was:
you have got to be kidding me…is no one that knows this girl speking out about who she truly is?!!! she is known around charleston for making reports on various male partners…her mom is rumored to have been a prostitute. how do we know she wasnt out there buying meth herself? is no one taking any of this into consideration? and of course she is going to say they called her a ni****…thats what blacks do when something hapens to them-it gets them quick attention.
There’ s an idiot in every bunch, unfortunately.
I love both of your comments, MJ and So Sorry. I was talking with a psychologist friend of mine today and he hadn’t been in the loop much about the case so I enlightened him. He couldn’t believe the extent of her injuries. I’ve been an activist for human rights the majority of my adult life, but this story touched a part of me so deeply I vowed to keep it in the loop.
I watch CNN daily, and various news outlets waiting for any new developments and all you get is Brittany Spears, OJ Simpson, and now Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas – all because he wrote that book! This is why more and more people are turning to the internet for their news. It’s a shame in this day and age that when you want to find a story you have to go to You Tube, and generally it’s there, with all the assorted details.
(I know I’m not the only one!)
As for Bobby Brewster, when he was 14, he killed Frankie’s boyfriend. The record was sealed as he was a juvenile, but I guess they figure these people have done so much damage what would it hurt to release it. (Source: The Wilmington Journal Oct. 3, 2007 article)
So yes, the family is a hot mess! Ya Think? Tomorrow (Thursday) Karen Burton has a hearing before a new Magistrate. Her attorney got the original Magsitarte Codispoti recused for making comments to the press. (I’m sure he was glad to be rid of the case.)
All the other suspects will have their cases heard by the grand jury. They waived their preliminaru hearings. These people will go down! They have to!
Thanks to everyone for commenting. Dialogue really does help.
October 4, 2007 at 4:24 am
PV Dugas,
I think you are a great moderator – I’m forwarding your blog on to other associates of mine of all nationalities and religions – it’s rediculous that there is no video footage of these six sickos being taken to and from jail, and yet you couldn’t get away from the Paris Hilton footage for her 45 day sentence.
And as I wrote on another section of your blog, as a caucasian, I was disgusted to uncover this article in the archives of CNN, ironically as I was reading the article of the little girl mentioned above. I couldn’t escape footage and headlines of the beligerant drunk white woman being tasered by a cop, and am just sickened at our media to hear this happened at the same time, but that’s the story they thought was more meaningful.
My step-father was sexually/physically abusive as we were held under his roof while overseas, and being in the military, he outranked the MPs so nothing was ever done. Stories like Megan’s regardless of race send me into a fury – and as I said in my other post, I will now trust my news to blogs like yours, youtube, and the smoking gun.
I’m tempted to do two things – 1. take time off from work and go record footage of these bozos entering and exiting court (for anyone in Logan, the footage could bring you some extra dough if you shot any) then post it on youtube, and 2. Call Domino’s PR department and ask what it would take to get them to drop the charges for the $35 bounced check – they could really make a positive statement by being empathetic given what she’s gone through.
After being held captive under such traumatic conditions, I can’t stomach the thought of the legal system putting her in any kind of holding cell or anywhere that she has to be around any more abusive criminals – hearing about her just being separated from her mom one week after her ordeal for the bounced checks was just heartbreaking.
October 4, 2007 at 4:34 am
One other observation – I’ve seen some criticism of the mother for not filing a missing person’s report, but in the U.S. for anyone over 18, the police will generally tell you that they can file it, but they are not at liberty to give the individual’s whereabouts unless they are found dead, because that person is now considered an adult (regardless of mental abilities).
I think ironically, Megan was extremely lucky that a missing person’s report and news media did not pick up her missing status or put up her photo during her captivity, because I think that hillbilly bunch would have surely killed her if they knew others were aware people were looking for her. So while Carmen may face some questions, in the long run, the lack of media coverage during her disappearance may have ironically aided in her being kept alive long enough to be found.
However there is still no good excuse for the lack of media coverage after she was found – no major network can convince me of that!
October 4, 2007 at 5:03 am
On CNN today (just went there) this is listed in the top ten stories on the home page:
Police: Black student marked with ‘KKK’ at deaf school
Along with the story of the rescued miners from South Africa has the main story (don’t know how many minutes this will last) along with Anderson Cooper’s stories on Darfur. So I’m not sure why so little coverage on Megan’s story.
The deaf school incident above is a prime example where elevating ‘hate crime’ charges from the beginning helps to increase the sentence that might otherwise no even result in any incarceration. (This is probably another case to follow and see how it’s handled).
Whereas the OJ case is a prime example of how accusations of racism too early in a case can muddy the ability to objectively look at all the hard evidence.
KKK in permanent marker – hard evidence of a ‘hate crime’ and an increased sentence that might otherwise only result in a year or less of time served, if any at all.
In Megan’s case – if ‘hate crime’ overshadows kid-napping, sexual assault, malicious wounding, and potentially attempted murder – the jury (who keep in mind may be mostly white from Logan county) will start ruling with emotions and not look at the cold hard facts of the most heinous parts of this crime. If I were the prosecution, I would do everything in my power to be sure Megan is seen as one of ‘us,’ an Amercan, as an American citizen first in the minds of all Americans regardless of race, and that’s how I’d portray her to the jury. Given the murder history of Bobby and Frankie, I think conspiracy to murder could plausibly be added.
Sorry, I know I’m commenting a lot on your blog, but yours is the best site I’ve found that has the details of the trial which I plan on following.
I actually worked at a 24 news station during the OJ trial, so this lack of coverage astounds me.
October 4, 2007 at 12:21 pm
You can comment as much as you want.
That’s why we have blogs. It allows all of us to discuss the events the media isn’t covering. In such a strong emotional case, as this one, psychologically it pulls at the core of our being. People need to be able to release that pent up tension.
As for HATE CRIMES – they are definitely on the rise. I am just now watching CNN and am hearing about the case of nooses hung at a Naval Coast Guard base in New London Conneticutt, and also in the office of the civil rights officer of that Naval Coast Guard. Apparently this happened last July. My goodness! I had a “feeling” after the Jena case all of these incidents would come out.
There’s the story of Gramblin University and the teacher who tried to use an example for very young children by placing a noose around the neck of one of the children to further explain the history of nooses. NOW…Lafayette is planning a protest at the Lafayette Parish. The Black US Attorney “Washington” who was on the CNN Judgment in Jena special explained thoroughly the reason the noose charge could not be charged as a hate crime, but these protestors want to protest against him.
We’re going to see many more “protests” and hate crimes as the days and months unfold. While protesting works, it also brings out envious people who see the positive effects (60,000 + people) and then become fueled by it. A few days after the Jena rally, here in California, in Palmdale, a black student was man-handled by a school security guard and it was caught on a cellphone camera. Immediately there was a small protest and they were calling themselves the Palmdale – 3. This made the evening news here in Southern, California.
Blogs are being filled with so much venomous racial hate. I’ve maintained and will continue to maintain these situations have brought racism to an all time high. Perhaps that’s why we’re not seeing much coverage on the Megan Williams case.
I figured since Attorney Malik Shabazz, the head of the New Black Panther Party is now representing the Williams family that CNN would pick up the coverage. I know people in West Virginia were feeling very uneasy last week that “the party” stated they were coming to West Virignia to check into hate crime charges. I’m certainly watching and waiting to see if this new development will ignite even more tension. The Black Panther Party has a long misunderstood history in this country.
I’ll stay in the loop!
October 4, 2007 at 12:28 pm
One other thing, So Sorry, I totally feel you on the going to WV and shooting your own footage. I also thought of doing the same thing. That’s what cases like this do to people. While I’m sorry that Brittany Spears has lost her children, is it really a shock to us that warrants headline news? OJ Simpson doesn’t give a damn about anyone, even his own children, I could care less about his troubles with the law. I understand there is more news than Megan Williams, but why drop it in our collective conscious and then drop us out of the loop, that’s irresponsible in my opinion from a journalist standpoint.
October 4, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Here’s the latest Update on Megan Williams Case
LOGAN, West Virginia: Charges against the sixth suspect in the alleged rape, assault and torture of a black woman in a West Virginia trailer were sent to a grand jury Thursday, while black leaders gathered with the victim and her family outside the courthouse and called the alleged abuse “sadistic.”
Karen Burton and five others are accused of holding 20-year-old Megan Williams captive for days — sexually assaulting her, beating her and forcing her to eat human and animal feces.
A statement from one of those accused, Bobby Brewster, said the N-word was used repeatedly during the alleged abuse. The graphic allegations have reverberated across West Virginia, where 97 percent of the state’s 1.8 million residents are white.
The sixth suspect, 46-year-old Karen Burton, is charged with kidnapping, first degree sexual assault, malicious wounding, assault during the commission of a felony and 13 counts of battery.
Charges against the other suspects, including kidnapping and first-degree sexual assault, are expected to go before the grand jury in January.
Karen Burton’s statement “did not acknowledge her participation at all,” Logan County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeffrey Robinette said.Williams’ mother, Carmen Williams, attended Burton’s hearing but left crying before it ended.
Williams leaned on her parents during a news conference afterwards without speaking, except to nod when asked if she was OK.
The Associated Press generally does not identify suspected victims of sexual assault, but Williams and her mother agreed to release her name. Carmen Williams said she wanted people to know what her daughter had endured.
“It is obvious that this is one of the most sick, horrific, sadistic and evil hate crimes that has ever occurred in U.S. history,” said Malik Shabazz, a founder of Black Lawyers for Justice and legal adviser to the family.
U.S. Attorney Charles T. Miller has said he will not file civil rights charges. Logan County Prosecutor Brian Abraham has said state hate crime charges could be difficult to prove because Williams had a “social relationship” with Brewster going back at least several months
“This case is 100 times worse than the Jena Six, and this case is a case of national interest,” Shabazz said, referring to six black teenagers recently accused of beating a white classmate in Louisiana. “We are not going to leave the Williamses isolated here in the mountains of West Virginia.”
Shabazz said his group plans to hold a march on Oct. 27 to advocate against hate crimes and sexual abuse
Source – Times Herald Tribune 10/4/07
October 4, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Let’s sum this up:
The West Virginia 6 will go to the Grand Jury in January 2008.
Malik Shabazz, Esq. plans to hold a march on October 27, 2007 to advocate AGAINST hate crimes and sexual abuse.
U.S. Attorney Charles T. Miller has said he will not file civil rights charges. Logan County Prosecutor Brian Abraham has said state hate crime charges could be difficult to prove because Williams had a “social relationship” with Brewster going back at least several months.
Your comments please……………..
October 5, 2007 at 8:18 am
One negative comment comes up against, whether you are the same way. The person that states, blacks get attention by saying they have been called n***** is so undereducated. This is the least of the problem here so there is no justification. I am neither black or white and just looking at these pale and sick/disturbed 6 abusers shows they are capable of doing a dimented crime as these. Believe it or not there are still Nazi’s around…. These 6 do not believe in God so believe me they will pay in jail and out! There time will come because every nasty filthy act of only an animal can do, has their day. Hell is around the corner, looks as if they made their choice!! God Bless Megan,
October 5, 2007 at 8:22 am
Special thanks to poet Jessica Care Moore who performed in Charleston on Oct. 1, 2007 . Care- Moore dedicated her show to Megan. Megan and the Williams family where in attendance. Care-Moore is currently on tour and is reminding folks across the country (even those in Charleston) that Megan’s name is not “West Virginia Torture Victim”.
October 5, 2007 at 10:17 am
I really had to sleep on all of this. When I first heard about the prosecution saying “hate crime charges were being considered” I wondered why that statement was made and then he came back and said that hate crime charges would only carry a 10 year sentence and he wanted to make certain the charges stuck, so he was going for the kidnap and rape charges which carry Life and 35 year sentences – then I thought – great, they’ll get life + 35 years.
But when yesterday’s news came out and they said no hate crime charges would be filed because she had a prior relationship, it just didn’t sit well with me. According to everything I’ve read – and I’ve read everything……Bobby Brewster lured Megan to the trailer and her “so called friend” brought her, according to her father. This is an aspect of the law I just don’t like at all. There are too many “clauses” involved in the law of hate crimes.
Perhaps the law needs to be rewritten. Many people have suffered hate crimes of all nationalities, for being gay, etc. It just really sucks, but I do find comfort that perhaps they will not get out of prison, ever! That’s what I’m praying for. And Crystal, I love what Care-Moore said because it is the truth – her name is MEGAN WILLIAMS.
The saga continues.
October 6, 2007 at 2:31 pm
“Records show that all six suspects have been in serious trouble with the law before, racking up a grand total of 108 criminal charges since 2001, excluding the latest.
(“The most serious belong to Frankie Brewster, who in 1996 pleaded to voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of an 84-year-old person in her care. Brewster originally faced a first-degree murder charge.
She only served five years in prison.”) Facts
There is seriously something wrong with this picture, with this town, with this county. With these laws. With America Court system? I blame thier county and the State. This Woman should have never been released.
October 8, 2007 at 9:53 am
Nancy, you are so correct! I pulled up the statistics on Hate Crimes this morning from the Justice Department/FBI. The most recent stats were taken in 2005, but here it is:
Washington, D.C.—According to statistics released today by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 7,163 criminal incidents involving 8,380 offenses were reported in 2005 as a result of bias toward a particular race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity/national origin, or physical or mental disability. Hate Crime Statistics, 2005, published by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, includes data from hate crime reports submitted by city, county, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies throughout the Nation.
Hate Crime Statistics, 2005, includes the following information:
An analysis of the 7,160 single-bias incidents by bias motivation revealed that 54.7 percent were motivated by a racial bias, 17.1 percent were triggered by a religious bias, 14.2 percent were motivated by a sexual-orientation bias, and 13.2 percent of the incidents were motivated by an ethnicity/national origin bias. Nearly 1 percent (0.7) involved bias against a disability.
There were 5,190 hate crime offenses classified as crimes against persons in 2005. Intimidations accounted for 48.9 percent, simple assaults for 30.2 percent, and aggravated assaults for 20.5 percent. Six murders as well as 3 forcible rapes were reported as hate crimes.
Of the 3,109 hate crime offenses classified as crimes against property, 53.6 percent were directed at individuals, 9.8 percent were against businesses or financial institutions, 8.9 percent were against government, and 6.8 percent were against religious organizations. The remaining 20.9 percent were directed at other, multiple, or unknown victim types.
Damage/destruction/vandalism was the most frequently reported crime against property, accounting for 81.3 percent of the total.
Breakdown by Race
Of the 6,804 known offenders reported in 2005, 60.5 percent were white, and 19.9 percent were black. The race was unknown for 12.3 percent, and other races accounted for the remaining known offenders.
The majority (30.0 percent) of hate crime incidents in 2005 occurred in or near residences or homes; followed by 18.3 percent on highways, roads, alleys, or streets; 13.5 percent at colleges or schools; 6.6 percent in parking lots or garages; and 4.3 percent at churches, synagogues, or temples. The remaining 27.3 percent of hate crime incidents occurred at other specified locations, multiple locations, or other/unknown locations.
October 8, 2007 at 11:19 am
Whoa – check this out on HATE CRIME LAWS:
Source – Anti-Defamation League
Different states have different protected categories. As of June 2006, race and religion are included in the hate crimes law of all 45 states, but only 32 state statutes include sexual orientation, 28 states include gender, and 32 states include disability.
Anti-Defamation League Website
http://www.adl.org/combating_hate/hatecrimes_qa/hatecrime_qa2.asp#
This is a GREAT page on hate crime information. I did research on California Law and found a first offense is only punishable by a one year jail sentence and/or $5,000.00 fine, or by both imprisonment and fine, and the court shall order the
defendant to perform a minimum of community service, not to exceed 400 hours, to be performed over a period not to exceed 350 days, during a time other than his or her hours of employment or school attendance.
I’d be interested in other states “protected catergories.” I feel that Hate is Hate. Why isn’t there one solid law for all states? This is the problem.
October 11, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Okay, so I’ve been receiving emails all morning on this case, after people have begun to read the new information (statement) of Megan Williams posted by Final Call last night.
Megan said she did not have a “relationship” with Bobby Brewster, they were only friends. It also came out that she was not living with the parents Carmen & Matthew Williams. She was living on her own.
A “friend” by the name of Christa took her to the Brewster home, reportedly for a party, and then told her she had to do something and would be back, but she never came back. The question was asked of Megan, (I’m not quoting) but something about when she got there if she recognized the house, which she replied no. There was no party but the Brewsters were making “meth” and “crack cocaine.” She said this was in August, so the story that she was at the trailer for over a month is true.
As she recounted the details of what happened to her, wow, it really got to me.
I also found interesting the recount of Karen Burton’s court hearing when her attorney had a hard time finding questions for the deputy in charge of the case and then told her client (Karen Burton) to shut up.
On my website someone asked in my guestbook, “Why does the family have the Nation of Islam/Black Panthers representing them?”
I can’t of course answer that question. Malik Shabazz, who founded Black Lawyers for Justice and is a major head in the New Black Panther Party is referred to as the family’s “Legal Advisor.”
I was just glad to finally see some kind of information on this case. Apparently, Megan is still recovering and her mother sleeps with her now because she has nightmares about the butcher knife and wakes up screaming. This is going to be a long emotional recovery for her, that’s for sure.
October 24, 2007 at 1:30 pm
I don’t watch the news on TV I only check-in here and there on the net. It goes without saying this crime is despicable. No matter what we all bleed red, we’re all of the same species and we all have a soul. Setting race aside, these people need to pay for these crimes. My thoughts and prayers are with the Williams’ family. May you find strength and solice in God as well as healing.
October 24, 2007 at 1:34 pm
I can’t understand how anyone can treat another human being this way. I would be horrified to hear someone treating an animal this way, that long a person. It is hard to get out of your head. What is wrong with people? I find this so disturbing. In this day and age how can one person that along a group have so much hate. Due to race, insane. It is appalling! Bless her heart. I prey for her to have peace. I can’t imagine going through what she did.
October 24, 2007 at 3:55 pm
I am among the countless number of people that are completely horrified by this event. I am a native of WV and a college student here, and I have been to the Logan area. However West Virginia is not all full of white trash rednecks, every state has some forms of this kind of living. I agree that this ordeal is indeed a hate crime, however I think it is ignorant for those to be so outraged that the prosecuters are not labeling it as a hate crime yet. If these six people are charged with rape and kidnapping they will serve a life sentence instead of a minimun of ten (the amount of time charged for a hate crime). Either way I hope all those keep in mind that West Virginia is not a horrific state like it is commonly portrayed.
October 25, 2007 at 12:09 am
Courtney, I understand where you’re coming from. The kidnap and rape charges equal life + 35 years, but I believe people are pushing so hard for hate crime charges in this case so the Federal Government will stand up and realize we need the laws changed. I personally don’t believe it will happen due to the facts in this case. The Prosecutor and WV US Attorney have made that very clear. Remember, Brian Abraham said he is not ruling it out, and may add it at a later date, which means it will add 10 more years onto the sentence.
October 25, 2007 at 12:12 am
There’s a very interesting article in the Charleston Newspaper. I’ve been waiting for it. Malik Shabazz met with the WV Mayor Danny Jones and things got real heated. Here’s a little of it:
Charleston’s mayor and the leader of a march to support Megan Williams traded insults and accused each other of promoting hate on Wednesday, 10 days before the event to support the 20-year-old black woman who was allegedly tortured by six white Logan County residents.
Mayor Danny Jones said Malik Shabazz, leader of the Black Lawyers for Justice group that is organizing the march, was a “hater” and was using the event to promote himself. Shabazz called Jones a racist and compared him to “a modern-day Bull Conner.”
Shabazz also wondered if city officials who want them to have $1 million in insurance for the event are singling them out. City officials say they are not.
Jones also questioned why Shabazz, attorney and former leader of the New Black Panther Party for Self Defense, has organized the march.
“Shabazz is a hater. We have no objection to anyone coming in and having a lawful march but people who live here have a right to know who they are standing up with,” Jones said.
Shabazz has been criticized by some, including the Anti-Defamation League, as being anti-Semitic. The Anti-Defamation League Web site has a page devoted to Shabazz, listing anti-Semitic quotes by him dating back to 1994.
The New Black Panthers will be at the march as security, Shabazz said.
Jones says he has watched Shabazz since 1995, when Jones was a talk radio host in Charleston.
“I think if you want to watch Mr. Shabazz you have to follow the money. He is trying to create an industry of himself,” the mayor said. “This is all about attracting attention for himself. I think this has very little to do with Megan Williams.”
Here’s the link to the 3 page article
I’m curious how others feel about this march on November 3rd.
October 26, 2007 at 8:07 am
I’ve followed this case through your website and have commented in your guestbook. I just realized there was a blog.
October 26, 2007 at 8:24 am
Sorry. I read the new article posted where police have now interviewed the sister of suspect George Messer. The more information that becomes available, the more twisted this story gets. Acording to Ms. Messer Megan had an opportunity to leave not once, but twice and refused saying she was in love with Bobby Brewster. I maintain Ms. Williams did not deserve the treatment received by these six sick individuals, but she clearly stated she was not given anything to eat yet the article states she was found in a back bedroom in black lingerie eating a bowl of macaroni.
This is a clear example of what happens when a legal case is tried in the press. I’m waiting for the police to find the woman who took Megan to the trailer for a party. Shouldn’t she also be held accountable? Obviously she was asked by Brewster to bring Megan and therefore should be considered a major part of the crime. As more details emerge in this case, the chances of hate crime charges being filed dissipate.
As for the newest article, one must consider. I would perhaps lie for my brother to lessen his sentence but the sister clearly states she let Megan out of the bedroom and told her to take her car and Megan refused. My confusion with the article is where was Megan at the time? Was she at the home of George Messer or the trailer of Frankie Brewster?
If these basturds get off on lighter sentences it will rock the world.
October 26, 2007 at 8:42 am
One more thing. I commented about this in your guestbook but as for the upcoming march, Hell no! I won’t be attending. I’m a 38 year old African American woman from Atlanta. I attended and helped to obtain buses for the Jena march.
I’ve donated money to the Megan Williams fund because my heart cried out to help. Malik Shabazz, who is an attorney and a leader of the New Black Panther party is a hater. Yes I said it. He’s a hater. He’s argumentative and he’s using this young woman to make a name for himself. If he wanted to advise the family properly, the first thing he would do is keep Megan out of the spotlight. He’s coached this woman to say what he wants her to say in order to promote his own agenda. I have my own feelings about Al Sharpton but Al Sharpton is a civil rights leader who is more experienced with these types of issues. Al Sharpton would never have gone to West Virginia and had a verbal match with the mayor.
Has Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson ever asked for money to promote a cause? Hell no!! If these six monsters end up with lighter sentences look to Malik Shabazz the wannabe leader of his own cause. I’m mad as hell.
October 26, 2007 at 9:00 am
I promise this will be my last post. Here is a link to the Anti-Defamation League website. Read about Malik Shabazz
http://www.adl.org/learn/ext_us/Black_Panther.asp
This man woud kill babies.
October 26, 2007 at 11:55 am
Hey Shondra, glad you made it over. I don’t know how many people have watched the new video taken by ABC News. It’s the unedited edition that is most interesting. My heart aches to watch this very naive and innocent young girl recall what happened to her and to see the wounds on her leg. My God! Anyway, here is the link.
Megan Williams unedited video
October 26, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Shondra, I know how you feel. Many people have expressed their concern over why the William’s family chose Malik Shabazz/New Black Panther Party to represent them. How credible can you be to march for hate when you’re filled with so much hate? My problem with the march is that it was being held as a march against hate crimes against blacks. While we as black people catch much hell in this country, there have been hate crimes against all races. Matthew Shepard, the muslim people following 9-11, illegal aliens here in California, and many many others. There was an Asian woman who was a contestant on the reality show “Top Chef” who suffered a hate crime beating because she’s lesbian.
I’ve maintained from day one that the federal government needs to take a serious look at the hate crime legislation. I believe I read somewhere that Al Sharpton is holding a march in D.C. on November 11th which I’m sure will be open to ALL people. People can say what they want about Al Sharpton but you have to give him credit – this is what HE DOES – he is a civil rights leader.
The Black Lawyers for Justice in my opnion have been very unorganized in this case. Yes, I read the flyer of him asking for money for P.A. equipment and money for buses. He also plans to hold a rally at the end of the event to raise more money for Megan, yet there is already a fund set up for her.
I took a poll on my website and it was overwhelming…..people feel this march won’t solve anything. I think 3 people said they would attend.
What’s up with holding a pre-march vigil at the Logan County trailer? I hope to God they don’t have Megan there. That would be sick and would set her back as far as her emotional recovery is concerned. It’s just too much. I’ve read everything on Malik Shabazz and have watched the various videos. I’ll say it again, how can you expect people to support anti-hate when you spread hate?
The bottom line to me is a march in D.C. by all people fighting for hate. What a message that would send.
October 26, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Black Ministerial Alliance will not join march
Source – Charleston Daily Mail
October 28, 2007 at 11:56 pm
UPDATE:
THE MARCH IS STILL ON AND WILL GO FORWARD ON NOVEMBER 3RD.
The meeting held at the church in Charleston between Malik Shabazz and the Black Ministerial Alliance got very heated! You can watch the video by clicking this link.
Malik Shabazz commented “It was awesome the way the people rose and rebeled against the black ministers who are trying to get them not to march.” I can’t believe this man. Huey Newton has got to be turning over in his grave.
October 29, 2007 at 1:15 am
Being a child of the 60s-70s and a past member of the original Black Panther Party in my early teens, I can tell you a completely different story about the Black Panther party. The social programs they provided would be number one on my list.
The ADL website notes the following:
Original Panthers Respond (on New Black Panther Party)
Several members of the original Panthers have condemned the NBPP’s racism and anti-Semitism. Bobby Seale, co-founder of the original Panthers, believes that the New Panthers have “hijacked our name and are hijacking our history.” David Hilliard, a former original Panther and executive director of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation, said that the New Panthers “totally abandoned our survival programs.” He also said that the racism that the group “espouse(s) flies directly in the face of the Black Panthers’ multicultural ideology and purpose.”
Still, Malik Shabazz claims that “our position is: the Panther exclusively belongs to no one. It belongs to the people.”
According to Shabazz, the original Panthers “are really working with the Zionists. I think their lawyer is one. I think they are being used by outside forces to keep alive the counterintelligence program of the F.B.I. and the U.S. government, creating divisions and factions among black organizations.”
By feeding off of the nostalgia for, and presenting itself in the image of, the original Panthers, the New Black Panther Party for Self Defense has been able to survive the death of its most controversial leader and maintain its influence in the black community. While the NBPP still attracts some followers under the guise of championing the causes of black empowerment and civil rights, its record of racism and anti-Semitism has overshadowed any of its efforts to promote black pride and consciousness.
————————————-
Bobby Seale was the chairman and co-founder, along with Huey Newton, of the true Black Panther Party, formed in 1966 to guard against police brutality in black neighborhoods and provide social services. He is the only original surviving leader.
His website BobbySeale.com offers the following:
In OUR future thinking & practices: No racism ALLOWED!
Neither idiotic, male chauvinism, nor bigoted discrimination ALLOWED!
No ideological nor religious motivated terroristic stupidity ALLOWED!
No xenophobic isolationism, dumb criminality, abusive exploitation or violence against women and children, nor avaricious global exploitation of humanity ………ALLOWED!
“All Power to All the People!” Righteous down home people’s power is what I advocated in the sixties, and what I say today. That is, “…toward a future world of co operational humanism!”
I’ve emailed him asking for an interview on this situation.
October 29, 2007 at 4:11 pm
THIS IS A GOT DAMN SHAME! I’m sorry, but I’m pissed off. Am I the only person who sees this is not about Megan Williams any longer? It was never about Megan Williams.
pvdugas, my brother was also a member of the original black panther party when we lived in San Francisco in the mid seventies. I’m glad you posted the information from the ADL website and I would also like to hear what Bobby Seale has to say about this. I think the march will include mainly locals. Do we know if Megan and her family will attend the march? You say Huey Newton is turning over in his grave. I wonder what Martin Luther King, Jr. must be doing. For a march that plans to be peaceful, there too much anger. That video told the whole truth. The comment at the end by Shabazz; let’s just say I wanted to slap him. How can black people rising up against black ministers be awesome? He’s camera hungry.
Keep on keeping on sistah.
October 29, 2007 at 9:43 pm
It’s a trip Shondra, all day today I was reminiscing about the Black Panthers. For years I had the Huey Newton/Bobby Seale poster where they’re standing outside the BBP headquarters in Oakland. That’s a classic girl. I was about 14 or 15 at the time. My best friend’s older sister was heavily involved in the movement, which is how I got involved. I went to several PE meetings and stayed up on the news in the Black Panther paper. I grew up in a military family and my mother use to come in my room telling me to take that stuff off the walls, she’d say, “Your father is in the military.” ha ha ha Great memories.
Anyway, as for Williams family and the march, it looks like they’ll be there. According to WOWK TV-13 in W.V.:
March organizers say Megan Williams and her family will be here Saturday to support the event, but opponents say this march is no longer about Megan.
“Personally I don’t see where she can gain from marching,” said Kenneth Hale, president of the state NAACP.
Both the state and local chapters of the association also decided not to endorse the march.
“From what I know of the case, I don’t see where it’s helping. I think it’s going to hinder the issues more so than it’s going to help,” said Hale.
I know I said it before, but I pray to God that she isn’t at that trailer on the 2nd for the pre-vigil prayer. But she probably will be. From reading the reports about the church meeting, it sounds like she and her mother Carmen were at the meeting. I just don’t get it, but she’s not my child so I can’t question her parents motives.
The question is whether the media will cover it. Considering the drama attached to it, they probably will be there. We all know how our media loves dramatics.
Don’t let Mailk Shabazz make you mad. People like him never get far. He’s so busy trying to be Malcolm X and those are a pair of shoes he can never fill. His heart is in the wrong place.
November 1, 2007 at 7:53 pm
I didn’t realize there was another Megan link. Girl, you are the “business” keeping up with this case. You have more than CNN. Every time I do a search there you are. (smile)
I’ve been following along on your website about Megan and her mom leading the march and the prosecutor pleading with them about marching and interviews. Phyllis, I said this weeks ago on your guestbook that the more this girl was interviewd, the more the case would get messed up. People won’t like this but I’ll say it anyway I think the Williams family likes the attention. The people not the media have kept this story alive on the internet. People felt sorry for Megan and what she endured. Someone set up a trust fund and people starting sending money. I did.
One article on your site said the prosecuting attorney was not privy to the Williams family desire for hate crime charges to be filed. You can tell by the interviews they were moving towards that. Megan interview was rehearsed word for word. Was I the only one who saw that?
It’s a hot mess is all I’m saying.
November 1, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Shondra, girl I’m tired and going to bed. Enough of this for one day. You have to catch up on the Megan Williams Case Updates blog. It looks as though the Wiliams are marching. It’s more than a hot mess, this is getting insane. Pray and keep praying is all I can add.
November 4, 2007 at 5:19 pm
PLEASE SEE MARCH FOR MEGAN WILLIAMS UNDER RECENT ENTRIES…………….
March 14, 2008 at 7:51 am
I so sorry for this poor girl and her family. She is in my prayers. This is a hideous crime and I am angry that these inhuman criminals are getting off so easy.
April 28, 2008 at 6:25 am
i think this is thing the has not only happened just this one time but i guess the world has not come to the conclusion the there kind of things are happening to not only people in america but all over the world and it ain’t just happenening to only blacks it will even happen to the person that is reading this now you can be black , white ,or any other race in the world if you are not wanted to will get treated with a lot of HATE everyone HATES something or someone
yours Jasmine ???????
March 31, 2009 at 2:29 pm
This story still haunts me! I had just heard that these criminals will be receiving somewhat light sentences. My heart goes out to Megan and I am praying that she has been recovering since this ordeal. I can’t imagine what kind of people would do this to a sweet innocent young woman (let alone anyone for that matter). I hope that Megan reads the posts of all her supporters and people that are thinking of her
June 11, 2009 at 12:40 pm
hey everyone this is megan williams i now reside in columbus ohio with my new mother im doing fine we are studing for our G.E.D carmen williams told me not to tell anyone in the hospital about what happened if i did tell anyone and it got back to her she said she was going to kill me she and matthew williams spent all of my money up on crack cocaine that was raised for me and the $40.000 that montel williams gave me for school and sold my labtop that he gave me for school i megan williams did not receive a dime of it she also prostitute me and made me get crack for her she abused me, came to my job pizza hut and demanded money from me i told her she was not getting any of my money she came behind the counter grabbed me by the head of my hair snatched me from behind the counter drug me out the door across the parkinglot across the street starts beating me and kicking me for no reason matthew also knew about my kidnap he also took a glass collectors cd case and hit me in the head with it. and i had 5 stitches now i feel releved now that im away from carmen williams and matthew williams from the abuse my sister also lives with me here in columbus ohio we also received phone threats from carmen williams shortly after i came to columbus ohio
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