Whites Apologetic for W.Va. Torture Case

Some whites in West Virginia appear to be ashamed and apologetic for the racially charged torture case of a black woman last month, according to The Associated Press.

Ever since police arrested six whites for the rape and torture of a black woman, whites have approached a black security guard at the courthouse where the case is unfolding to express an assumed shame for the allegations, the AP reported.

Claude Williams has been accepting the apologies for what many have called a hate crime. Even though he is not related to the victim, the security guard has the same last name, and feels a kinship with her, he says. (The story goes on to talk about the state's history of racism.)

Last month, 20-year-old Megan Williams was held captive for about a week at a mobile home in Big Creek, W. Va. Police say she was sexually assaulted, beaten and forced to eat animal droppings while her attackers spouted racial slurs and tormented her. The victim was rescued Sept. 8 by sheriff's deputies acting on an anonymous tip.

Last week, another suspect in the disturbing case waived a preliminary hearing.

That means George Messer will have his case tried before a grand jury. He and five others are charged with kidnapping, first-degree sexual assault and six counts of battery.

A grand jury will also hear the cases against Bobby Brewster, 24; Alisha Burton, 23; Frankie Brewster, 49 and Danny Combs, 20.

For some reason, authorities have been reluctant to press hate crime charges in the case.

U.S. Attorney Charles Miller said earlier this month he would not pursue federal hate crime charges, but Logan County officials could still do so.

Apparently, prosecutors believe that the current charges will be enough to put the suspects behind bars for life, since a kidnapping conviction can carry a life sentence.

In another ODD twist, after the victim's release from the hospital, cops busted her on < warrants for writing bad checks. Williams was released on bond.

Does it bother you that hate crime charges might NOT be filed in the case?

Our Lens Sept. 1

Hector Jackson (C), who impersonates the late US pop star Michael Jackson, gestures while he takes part in the "I do dance Thriller" event which attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest mass "Thriller" dance, in Mexico City, on August 29. Up to 15,000 people are expected to take part in a potentially record breaking mass performance of Michael Jackson's famed "Thriller" dance on the day he would have turned 51.

Omar Torres, AFP/ Getty Images

A long line of fire marches west towards the communities of Acton and Sunland-Tujanga on August 31 in Los Angeles, California. At least 18 homes were destroyed and 12,000 more homes and 500 commercial buildings are being threatened in the fire which already took two lives. The wildfire, which broke out Wednesday afternoon near a ranger station and the Angeles Crest Highway above La Canada Flintridge, has forced thousands of evacuations.

Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

Venus Williams of the United States reaches for a shot against Vera Dushevina of Russia during day one of the 2009 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, in Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

Chris McGrath, Getty Images

A Kenyan Muslim child reads verses from the Quran, Islam's holy book, on the fifth day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in a Madrassa (Religion School), in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, Aug. 26. Muslims throughout the world are celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, where observants fast from dawn till dusk.

Sayyid Azim, AP

Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off from launch pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center on August 28, in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Discovery is scheduled for a 13-day mission to the International Space Station.

Joe Raedle, Getty Images

Host Vanessa Williams performs with dancer Gilles Marini onstage at the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Orpheum Theatre on August 30, in Los Angeles, California.

Jesse Grant, WireImage

A girl plays with tomato pulp during the annual "Tomatina" tomato fight fiesta in the village of Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 26. Bunol's town hall estimated more than 40,000 people, some from as far away as Japan and Australia, took up arms Wednesday with 100 tons of tomatoes in the yearly food fight known as the 'Tomatina' now in its 64th year.

Alberto Saiz, AP

Tom Wainaina recounts the events that lead to his being burned over most of his upper body August 26 in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya. Wainaina was burned by a group of men during post-election violence in Kenya's disputed 2007 presidential election. Ethnic-tribal violence left over 1,000 people dead. The non-governmental organization (NGO) Concern, in cooperation with local Kenyan groups, has launched a campaign to provide the urban poor with cash grants to start a business or get back on their feet after suffering disproportionately from post-election violence in 2007. The money is transferred to the recipients via a mobile phone which insures a safe and simple financial transaction to customers who don?t have bank accounts. Wainaina is one of dozens of Kibera residents to receive the assistance of a cash grant. Hairdressers, grocery stores and food vendors are just some of the businesses that have been financed through the program.

Spencer Platt, Getty Images

People standing near the grave of Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) look at the grave of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) at Arlington National Cemetery August 30, in Arlington, Virginia. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) was buried yesterday next to his brothers President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) after he died of brain cancer on August 25.

Brendan Smialowski, Getty Images

US President Barack Obama takes out his daughters Malia (R) and Sasha (2nd L) and niece Suhaila Ng (L) to shop in the Alleys general store on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, on August 30, 2009.

Jewel Samad, AFP/ Getty Images

Black Voices

Categories

Contributors

Other BV Blogs