Jackson Free Press

Megan Williams was stabbed in the leg, called racial epithets and forced to eat rat droppings and dog feces while held hostage in a tool shed for a week or more. The victim is currently hospitalized, and they expect for her to be released in a few days. Six of the eight suspects, all white, have been apprehended. Authorities are still trying to determine how Williams ended up in the shed, and they believe she may have been tricked by someone she met on the Internet.

Previous Comments

ID

114600

Comment

Here's an article from CNN which gives more information about the suspects. I also suggest that you read the comments on the ABC forum. There were some complaints about the lack of media coverage.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-09-12T19:51:51-06:00

ID

114601

Comment

As a note. It was reported on MSNBC (I think, may have been CNN) today that it was not being considered a hate crime any more. Apparently the victim knew the attackers (alleged). Thus it was not a crime against race, gender or orientation, but rather an individual. Still a hateful, hideous, unconceivable crime, but not a legal hate crime. I know there is little rhyme or reason, you hate the victim personally, regular crime, you hate the victim for another idiotic reason, hate crime. I admit we are splitting hairs, but it is not a hate crime (at least reported as such) for it was not based on race, gender or orientation, just personal hate. AGamma627

Author

AGamm627

Date

2007-09-12T21:41:19-06:00

ID

114602

Comment

MSNBC link Even though they may not charge the suspects for a hate crime, to me it still is regardless of who the victim knew prior to this. The acts themselves were hateful, but the fact that she was called the N-Word during the torture sets it in stone for me.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-09-12T21:53:36-06:00

ID

114603

Comment

I saw this on Good Morning America this morning. Awful, to say the least.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-09-12T21:59:22-06:00

ID

114604

Comment

Yeah, and one of the posters on the ABC forum complained that GMA did not devote enough time time to the story. I'm thinking that they may be waiting on more details and possibly an interview with the victim, but we'll see.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-09-12T22:06:06-06:00

ID

114605

Comment

No matter the legal definiton of "hate crimes" this is one.....she is black, they are all white. They allegedly called her the N-word repeatedly...that's hateful..... what is wrong it is 2007 and all of this stuff (I wish I could use another word) is going on.....

Author

blkokc

Date

2007-09-13T03:29:33-06:00

ID

114606

Comment

Here is a similar story that has received little national press, and should probably qualify as a hate crime. Yet, to this day the police are saying it wasn't a hate crime. Unfortunately, we don't have either victim alive to say what type of epitaphs, racial or sexual, were hurled their way while being raped and killed. In the case LW posted (which I almost sent you ;-), the victim is alive to tell her side of the story, revealing that she was a victim of a hate crime. I figure since we are posting stories that raise these issues, I should add this one as it has sparked debate everywhere but in the national media.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-09-13T07:53:55-06:00

ID

114607

Comment

I agree, pikersam, but your story doesn't fit the media template for a hate crime.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-09-13T08:58:08-06:00

ID

114608

Comment

What is the "media template for a hate crime"? I'm not familiar with that.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-09-13T09:00:14-06:00

ID

114609

Comment

Yeah, I don't look to the media to define a hate crime. That is up to the police and courts to decide. Though the media can help by shedding light on these types of crimes whether they are hate based or not. And, I don't want to discount crimes that are truly hate crimes verses those that are just crimes. I understand the difference, and why we have the law as it stands. You just can't assign 'hate' to every murder or assault that happens. I am sure the GBIII did not 'love' his girlfriend. :-(

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-09-13T09:25:36-06:00

ID

114610

Comment

I agree with Gamma and pikersam. Any hateful act of crime cannot be stripped of the obvious hate-component. Whether you know somebody prior to the occasion or not has little to do with you carrying out your act. I think that targetting racially-motivated crimes has gone beyond its intended purpose. With all of the sick shyt (that's how you say it blk) going on within/without races, i don't feel like I (speaking for myself, here) feel any more infuriated that they called her the n-word over them doing what was done. Hate is a reality, regardless of its fuel. You never can be too careful in this world, unfortunately. I've driven through Jasper, TX (on my way to Natchez) a number of times and shudder at the thought of breaking down. I'll pass a home with confederate flags and give a honk, smile and a wave. Yes, it is important to know that evil does exist. Life is too short to live entirely in fear.

Author

lilsoulja

Date

2007-09-13T09:45:15-06:00

ID

114611

Comment

Meaning in my opinion pikersam’s story doesn’t really match the public or media expectation for a hate crime, even when there may be evidence suggesting race was a motive, which is why I expect this WV story to gain momentum as more media outlets learn about it. The savages that committed this crime in West Virginia clearly had racist intent when they brutalized this young lady, and I wish their punishment would include being locked in cells with black inmates who would be more than willing to show them what torture feels like.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-09-13T09:55:52-06:00

ID

114612

Comment

Pike, thanks for the link. I was unaware of that story, and I hope the perps get what's coming to them. Definitely sounds like a hate crime to me, regardless of their past relationships.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-09-13T11:24:53-06:00

ID

114613

Comment

All of this is just too much for me. People are just SICK! The mere fact that these people had rap sheets that stretched from here to Canton and probablt Tupelo and they were free is beyond my comprehension. Cople that with what's happening in Jena, La......Something is terribly wrong!

Author

blkokc

Date

2007-09-13T12:34:50-06:00