Jackson Free Press

I guess there's no such thing as second chances. Mistakes, accidents, lapses in judgment—it doesn't matter. Mess up once, and you've got one hell of a road to travel back to public approval. Commit a crime, serve time, and America would rather you just sit over in a corner and keep your mouth shut. Commit a crime, serve time and be black, and you're a pariah.

I guess we forget that correctional facilities exist to rehabilitate offenders. Somewhere along the way, society decided that if you have a record, you've forfeited your right to improve yourself. We won't hire you. We won't forgive you. We won't even let you attempt to further educate yourself. I guess God made us judge, right?

Such is my disgust at the way media and some dissectors have treated the Marcus Raines situation at the University of Southern Mississippi. In case you haven't read, Raines is a blue-chip junior college prospect who expects to enroll at USM this fall on a football scholarship. Thing is, Raines is also a convicted felon. He spent three years in the California penal system for involuntary manslaughter in the beating death of an 18-year-old high school student nearly five years ago. Raines says the incident was accidental, the result of a fight. In fact, the victim got up and walked away. He was 17 then. He's 22 now. A man should be able to repent for mistakes he made as a boy.

Raines, I'm sure, knows he can never escape that incident. The victim can never be brought back. Had it been my son, brother or nephew, forgiveness would be hard to come by, no doubt.

Point is, we are not the judge. Raines has paid his debt and should be allowed to get on with his life. If football is the vehicle that he chooses, so be it. If football gets his education paid for, so be it. God bless him. We should wish him the best. He's led an exemplary life since his incarceration and shame on those who would deny him his second chance.

Listen, in my business, I deal with convicted felons every day. For them, hip-hop is the lifeline that motivates them to remain law-abiding citizens. They've been refused jobs; they've been ridiculed; they've been stepped on. Some cave to that pressure and return to a life of crime. But some overcome, putting their musings to music. Others have become entrepreneurs, CEOs of labels finding new artists. Others do so by carrying a pigskin or shooting baskets.

Let me stop you right there. I'm not saying that's the only way. I'm saying that, for some, it's the best way. Should we not be encouraging ex-convicts everywhere to do the same? Could we not use them as a tool to show young folks that no matter how far you fall, you can still pick yourself up again?

I was saddened to read an editorial recently that said USM should not recruit convicted felons to play football. It even suggested that USM would not have cared had Raines not been 6'3", 230 pounds. Please. From where I'm standing, had it not been for the color of his skin, there wouldn't have been an editorial in the first place!

And that's the truth ... sho-nuff!

Previous Comments

ID

69931

Comment

I say, if Raines can't get his way with USM, he should try to apply at Jackson State University. I would like to know their stance on it because if all else fails Raines can go there. OR he can move out of the state and go play for a school that will let him in. Mississippi has is roots DEEPLY entrenched in racism, bigotry and all hatred for each other and sadly, until some of this "old blood" literally dies off, USM will be in it's current stronghold. I believe Raines is a good kid too and should also have a second chance, but I don't think he should use his ambition to play football as a platform to knock down racism at USM. He's young and needs to get with the business of rebuilding his life as fast as he can and let those out there who want to fight Raines' fight for him keep this issue in mind for the next time and continue to shed light on the rednecks of Mississippi to show that what they are doing is wrong. My reasoning behind that is because it would just take too long to win that fight for Raines and he'll be too old to play football by then..lol...Mississippi is the home of hatred and I say that with all encompassing sincerity. I was saddened to read an editorial recently that said USM should not recruit convicted felons to play football. If that's their policy... it's their right. It even suggested that USM would not have cared had Raines not been 6í3î, 230 pounds. Please. From where I'm standing, had it not been for the color of his skin, there wouldn't have been an editorial in the first place! ^pure speculation and propaganda. but living in Mississippi can lead one to believe such since it's history has been about nothing but pure hatred. It's even poisoned the Black community. but that's another topic. On the flipside, I would like to know how Jackson State University feels about accepting convicted felons on the team? We could use some angrier players because our defense sucks...lol..and we need a another SWAC title

Author

Black Man

Date

2005-05-05T07:06:34-06:00

ID

69932

Comment

On the flipside, I would like to know how Jackson State University feels about accepting convicted felons on the team? We could use some angrier players because our defense sucks...lol..and we need a another SWAC title...... ...We darn sure agree on that point BM. Mississippi has longstanding biases that prevent us from moving fwd. ESPECIALLY economically. It's sad that it has to rear its ugly head in these instances. The fact that this guy may one day go on to make millions just doesn't sit well with the redneck elite I'm sure. But he does indeed deserve a second chance..

Author

trusip

Date

2005-05-06T09:12:22-06:00

ID

69933

Comment

With all this talk on the JFP about blogger ethics and ombudsmen, one would think that the facts stated in a JFP article would have some semblance of accuracy. FYI, one is charged with (or convicted of, in this case) involuntary manslaughter when one's actions result in the death of another human being where the intent of the actor does not meet the requirements for a murder charge. As cited below, Raines was initially charged with 2nd degree murder and then plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Too bad the commentators here are more concerned with their perceptions of the "redneck elite" than the integrity of our public universitites in Mississippi, or that of NCAA athletics in general. The idea that Raines and his scholarship offer making national news only because he is black is laughable; did I really need to point that out? Is there some abundance of white athletic scholarship recipients who are also felons that I don't know about? Also, the odds of any USM alum (or ANY Div-I college alum) making NFL millions is astronomically high. Raines would serve himself best by focusing on education first and football second. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050420/SPORTS030104/504200377/1025 Raines, who now stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 230 pounds, was a 17-year-old junior at Littlerock High School in Lancaster, Calif., when he and two teammates were charged in May 2000 in the beating death of 18-year-old Christopher O'Leary. O'Leary got into an argument at a party with Rodney Woods, one of Raines' teammates, according to news reports. O'Leary was punched in the jaw by another player, quarterback Richard Newton, and fell hard to the sidewalk, striking his head. Raines then kicked O'Leary in the head. O'Leary was taken to a hospital the next morning and died two days later. Raines and Newton were charged with second-degree murder, but eventually pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

Author

buckallred

Date

2005-05-10T17:32:27-06:00

ID

69934

Comment

Correction: make that "astronomically low."

Author

buckallred

Date

2005-05-10T17:53:08-06:00

ID

69935

Comment

You're being a bit cryptic, buck. Leaving out the grandstanding, could you be specific about which facts you're saying are inaccurate so I can check them out. Thanks, man.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-05-10T18:27:25-06:00

ID

69936

Comment

Specifically, the quote: "In fact, the victim got up and walked away." The victim may have gotten up and walked (stumbled?) away; the article I found does not specify that. What is uncontroverted is that the victim later died as a result of the beating he recieved. And where was I grandstanding? If my tone is a bit critical, I think it is justified in light of the initial glossing-over of the incident in question and the commentary that followed.

Author

buckallred

Date

2005-05-10T18:33:11-06:00

ID

69937

Comment

Buck, thanks for clarifying; what was supposed to be unfactual wasn't clear from your original posting. It seems that you're not actually quibbling with factóbeing that Kamikaze makes it clear that the victim died, thus the reason Raines was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the beating death. Therefore, unless and until you show me an inaccurate fact (which I urge you to do whenever you see one), it sounds like you're disagreeing with Kamikaze's opinion, which is your right. But please don't mix that up with "accuracy." Your opinion is your opinion. As is Kamikaze's. And they're both valid, and neither more "accurate" than the other.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-05-10T18:39:41-06:00

ID

69938

Comment

KAMIKAZE: "He spent three years in the California penal system for involuntary manslaughter in the beating death of an 18-year-old high school student nearly five years ago. Raines says the incident was accidental, the result of a fight. In fact, the victim got up and walked away." At the very least, that passage is unclear. Did the victim actually get up and walk away, then die later? Or did Raines SAY the victim got up and walked away, per the previous sentence? Where did this assertion come from? I just read 3 or 4 articles about Raines and his background and none of them included that information. Ladd, do you mean that the bit about the victim walking away is Kamikaze's opinion? It seems clear to me that that is an assertion of fact.

Author

buckallred

Date

2005-05-10T19:16:17-06:00

ID

69939

Comment

buck - Let's forget about the button pushing that kamikaze is attempting to do and let's focus on the facts and see if Raines, who is the focus here, should at the very least get a chance to play somewhere if it's not USM. I feel he's a good kid that just snapped. young black kids have to fight to the death sometimes...these days...because most black kids retaliate alot. sad but true, that's why I teach mine to avoid fights by trying their best not to get put in such positions. but sometimes, nothing works and fighting is the only way. If some feel that he's not the smartest rock in the pile, just allow the football to be his entrance towards a better life. you can then persuade those books onto him via a tutor. If Raines is indeed a bonehead, then a tutor would be neccessary but if he's studious, then he'll be ok. We're talking about the kids here..and the kids are our future. I would rather see him on a football field than on America's Most Wanted. but maybe you're too shallow to understand that...coming from a white point of view I guess. BUT LET ME VENT SOMETHING TO ALL OF YOU RIGHT QUICK: I get tired of all you "bloggers" detracting the main focus of articles into your soapbox sessions of rants and tediously long replies that don't even deal with the subject first intentions. You go from talking about the subject into jocking for position on somebody's asskiss list somewhere with all these ridiculous and by all means, simple minded replies. Is that what blogging is? If so, I don't want no parts of it...just post the facts ma'am and mister and move along...please. save all the long winded "I love to type to see my words on the screen" replies. it's very unappealing. If you want to blast Kamikaze over his weak reporting then start another topic in the topic forum. This topic is about Marcus Raines, sheesh....

Author

Black Man

Date

2005-05-11T07:07:12-06:00

ID

69940

Comment

I thought about this piece the other night at a parent's meeting for a summer program my child will attend. A parent was going ape-nuts because there will be a program for non-violent youth offenders, and she was absolutely livid that her child might be with "criminals." The fact was that the program will be at a different site altogether than where our children will be and the program will not begin until the fall. On top of the fact that these are non-violent offenses. Point is true. We are not the judge. On top of that, we are only a part of the problem when we do judge and don't offer a chance for rehabilitation.

Author

emilyb

Date

2005-05-11T07:25:57-06:00

ID

69941

Comment

buck, it's entirely possible and plausible that someone can receive a blow to the head, walk away, and later develop complications. that's why head injuries always need to be checked out. Concussions are not to be messed with. I'm not seeing any blatant inaccuracy in the article. If you have info that says that he did NOT walk away, then post it. Your quote that says that he was taken to the hospital the next morning leads me to believe that the injuries did not initially appear to be severe.

Author

kate

Date

2005-05-11T07:46:07-06:00

ID

69942

Comment

Black Man: Raines kicked a guy in the head who his friend had already knocked down. I don't think any lawyer could craft a successful self-defense argument out of those facts. Also, I'd be curious to hear you expand upon your understanding of what a "white point of view" is. Kate: I am just asking the author of the article (or Ms. Ladd) for a clarification. The article contains an assertion of fact ("the victim got up and walked away") that I have nor seen in any of the several media reports of the incident that I have read. That reasonably leads me to doubt the truthfulness of that statement. And I do not know what "opinions" Ms. Ladd was referring to in her previous post. I would like to know the truth of the matter, or the source of that assertion. Again, this is relevent to the recent 'blogger ethics' discussion on the JFP site.

Author

buckallred

Date

2005-05-14T01:28:57-06:00

ID

69943

Comment

The news accounts I've seen back up Kamikaze's assertion of facts. If you have conflicting facts, Buck, feel free to post them. Otherwise, you seem to be simply badgering readers for no apparent reason.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-05-14T14:53:16-06:00

ID

69944

Comment

The news accounts I referenced (and the relevant portions of them) are copied below. They do not back up Kamikaze's assertion of facts (again, that "the victim got up and walked away"). I'd be interested to see the news accounts you read; or most relevantly, I'd be interested to hear what Kamikaze has to say about this. http://www.studentprintz.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/04/26/426dbfdbe32ba The exact details of what happened the night of O'Leary's death are somewhat murky, but according to published reports from various newspapers that covered the death of O'Leary and the legal proceedings that followed, it has been generally established that Raines and two of his teammates got in a fight with O'Leary at a party in Palmdale, Calif. One of the teammates punched O'Leary, who fell to the ground, and was kicked in the head by Raines. O'Leary died of complications from his injuries three days later. http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050420/SPORTS030104/504200377/1097 O'Leary got into an argument at a party with Rodney Woods, one of Raines' teammates, according to news reports. O'Leary was punched in the jaw by another player, quarterback Richard Newton, and fell hard to the sidewalk, striking his head. Raines then kicked O'Leary in the head. O'Leary was taken to a hospital the next morning and died two days later. Raines and Newton were charged with second-degree murder, but eventually pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050424/COL0601/504240348/1189 Raines Initially charged with second-degree murder, Raines pleaded guilty in 2002 to involuntary manslaughter. He was incarcerated for three years. He sounds genuine in his remorse.

Author

buckallred

Date

2005-05-14T15:28:23-06:00

ID

69945

Comment

Funny, your accounts don't exactly dispute Kamikaze's version, either. You are not providing any narrative about what happened in the hours after the fight. And Kamikaze did not say he bounced up immediately and ran a marathon. Buck, I realize you believe this point is breathtakingly important. I do not, considering the point of Kamikaze's point. Black Man was right; you do seem to be trying to divert attention from the point of the piece. However, I will e-mail the link to Kamikaze and if he wants to respond to you, he will. Otherwise, continual badgering will get you nowhere on it, so I will ask now not to do that. If you wish to make a point, make it because you haven't made one, yet. Otherwise, move on.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-05-14T15:36:45-06:00

ID

69946

Comment

Kamikaze: "Raines says the incident was accidental, the result of a fight. In fact, the victim got up and walked away." Ms. Ladd, in the interest of "fair and balanced" reporting and blogger ethics, I just looked up probably a dozen news stories of this incident, and finally found the following from the February 7, 2001 edition of the Daily News of Los Angeles: "Regardless, no one could have foreseen the tragic events that unfolded on May 19th, when a birthday party for Littlerock football player Jason Camacho turned deadly. According to witesses' accounts to police, this is what happened: Camacho's parents arranged the party to celebrate their son's 18th birthday. The original guest list consisted of no more than 20 of Camacho's teammates, but as the night wore on, the party grew to more than 100 people. Party guests said that some of the teen-agers consumed alcohol and even drugs. By the time O'Leary arrived shortly before midnight to pick up his girlfriend, Stacy Holzer, the party had been going on for several hours. O'Leary was upset and wanted Holzer to leave, but Holzer refused. Newton intervened and he and O'Leary exchanged words. O'Leary said he didn't want to fight and turned and walked away. As he did, Newton punched him from behind, knocking him to the floor. Raines then kicked O'Leary in the head. Raines later said he kicked O'Leary the way one would punt a football, according to testimony at his fitness hearing. Holzer and a friend helped the shaken O'Leary up, walked him to his car and then drove him to his apartment, where his condition worsened through the night. He was transported to Northridge Hospital Medical Center and died three days later. One punch. One kick. A handful of lives changed forever." As you can see, the decedent clearly did not "get up and walk away" as stated in the article. At the very least, the facts asserted in your publication should be more closely proofread to prevent these types of muddled (whether intentionally or carelessly) facts. Also, I strongly disagree that a detailed and, God forbid, ACCURATE account of the facts of the criminal incident in question is not relevant to the point of the article. Does Raines deserve a second chance? Well, firstly, let's examine WHAT HE DID!! How could that *not* be relevant to a proper analysis of the case?

Author

buckallred

Date

2005-05-14T20:55:14-06:00

ID

69947

Comment

The truth is, Buck, your facts as stated do support Kamikaze's basic facts as he statedóthat the victim "got up and walked away" (which was clearly a bit hyperbolic as opinion pieces tend to be). You are adding that he had help getting up and walking away, which is good to have added to the discussion, and which I had asked you to do if you had any additional specific facts. And I have taken no personal position on this particular case; however, Kamikaze's opinion about how it should be handled (and whether to believe Mr. Raines' version that Mr. O'Leary's death was "accidental" he did not mean to kill Mr.O'Leary) is his opinion, and he is entitled to it. There is nothibng unethical about having such an opinion based on his reading of the facts, even if you or I or anyone else disagrees with his take on them. You can disagree with him, but your charge of an ethics issue here seems misplaced in this case of an opinion writer "spinning" the basic set of facts to reach his conclusion. You have helped prove that his underlying facts are accurate, and we appreciate that. I suggest that if you would spend more time discussing the issues at hand here, and there are serious issues on the table, and stop acting like you have a vendetta to settle against Kamikaze and the JFP when it comes to any mention of black crime, that you could stimulate interesting discussion. I can surely imagine a very similar take on a case in which a group of white frat boys (or athletes or med students) get into a fight, they get into a drunken brawl, one dies after he went home from the fightóand this same defense is written of the first one by someone who doesn't think good boys of North Jackson (or wherever) should be punished for something they did not "mean" to do (in fact, I heard very similar arguments about the "poor" white kid at the reservoir driving drunk, running a stop sign and killing that carload of black children. He was an accident, and he made a "mistake." I see that sentiment in both these cases, but I also see the other side). Thus, I'm not saying I would agree with that characterization or with Kamikaze's above, but the discussion should center on the real issues involved if we want to reach any greater understanding about actual issues, not in parsing the language of opinion to try to prove Kamikaze "inaccurate." It's just not sticking well on this one. So at this point, I will ask you to move on into discussion of the issues at hand if you want to continue on this thread. Your other point is made, so please don't repeat the same thing incessantly as you've done on some other threads.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-05-15T10:09:52-06:00