Police say race not the motive behind Facebook Live video attack; 4 arrested

[icymist]

Four people were arrested Wednesday after police say they broadcast the beating and racial taunting of a man on Facebook Live.

The victim was tied up, with his mouth covered as the attackers kicked and punched him.

They are heard laughing and shouting in the video "f*** Donald Trump," and "f*** white people."

The Associated Press reports Chicago police don't believe the teen was targeted because he was white.

http://newschannel20.com/news/nation-world/facebook-live-beating-of-teen-with-special-needs-leads-to-4-arrests

[scscholar]

1. So more fake news!

[Schema Thing]

2. No, this really happened, and it's really horrible.

[scscholar]

72. I was more talking about the reaction than what happened

The reaction was fake.

[uppityperson]

4. How is this fake news?

[Dorian Gray]

14. Seriously?????????

[uppityperson]

25. What was that? Thanks

[cwydro]

131. Looks like that poster left and didn't come back.

Ha.

[NWCorona]

7. ...

[philosslayer]

8. Yep

An isolated incident of bullying that obviously got out of hand somehow turned into a national story. The epitome of the fake news phenomena

[NWCorona]

9. So sad

[Yo_Mama]

11. This is not bullying that got out of hand. It's kidnapping, extortion, assault, torture, etc.

They tied him and gagged him, beat him, cut him, and were apparently streaming it to extort money from the family?

They are in for LONG prison sentences. As they should be.

[snooper2]

12. Is there anything you won't defend that doesn't fit your narrative?

I don't think you are fooling anyone

[Chernobyl]

20. 4 people kidnapped a mentally challenged individual then on live video they bound him with a leash

or strap of some sort, beat him, kicked him, cut off some of his hair then with a knife they cut a chunk of his scalp off leaving him bloody, crying and clearly terrified on the floor while screaming and proudly showing their faces to the camera the entire time. The Chicago police have arrested these 4 and are investigating the entire account, they have confirmed the victims claims and details of the event.

This wasn't bullying and it certainly wasn't fake.

[hardluck]

26. "Bullying"?

"Got out of hand"? Seriously? Call it what it was, the the kidnapping and torture of a special needs person. Your need to downplay what happened to a special needs person is callous and disturbing.

[sarisataka]

27. Exactly

A few folks live stream their torture of a person and the internet gets all out of sorts and makes a big deal out of it. Before you know it everything is blown all out of proportion. I'm sure if everyone and the police will just step aside, in a couple of days these five will get together and have a good laugh about it and how it was all in fun.

[uppityperson]

29. Kidnapping and torturing a disabled kid is "fake news"? Bless your little heart

[Ace Rothstein]

35. If I want to find out what really happened it is always the opposite of what you're saying.

[leftynyc]

36. Bullying???!!!

This kid was kidnapped and TORTURED. Is there nothing you wont defend or minimize that doesn't fit your worldview? You continue to make DU look bad with each and every post.

[Kingofalldems]

45. I think the poster is mocking DU myself.

I think he believes just the opposite.

[leftynyc]

55. Perhaps

I KNOW he/she makes DU look horrible on a regular basis with his/her posting. Happy to see more and more people every day seeing this site would be much better off without posters like that.

[grossproffit]

67. See post 37

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028434171#post37

[kcr]

108. Gotta love the post they were agreeing with

That person is "skeptical." Wonders if it's a false flag. But won't even watch the video.

[philosslayer]

127. And see post #126 on that same thread

[xor]

75. I tend to agree...

I think posts pointing pointing that out are being flagged though.

[romanic]

87. He's from discussionst.

I don't know his sn there though.

[whathehell]

82. "Bullying"? You obviously didn't hear or see the tape..

Four young AA adults -- two of them women -- abused a mentally impaired young white man, while laughing, calling him derogatory racial slurs and mentioning Trump. They taped it all for Facebook. ne thing they did was force him to drink toilet water. He was able to be lured into the attack because he considered one of them his "friend". They are depraved scum.

[leftynyc]

91. I don't think you meant this post TO me

I'm in agreement with you. Calling this bullying is nothing but bullshit. Lock up these animals and throw away the key.

[whathehell]

100. Okay, sorry about that

I'm glad we agree.

[leftynyc]

101. I'm pretty sure you meant your post

for the person I was responding to. That poster has a serious problem acknowledging unpleasant realities about any minority community and regularly either dismisses, disparages, or makes excuses for some pretty reprehensible behavior. It's pathetic.

[whathehell]

119. I'm sure of it..

and, yes, I know who you are speaking of...As to his."problem" acknowledging some "unpleasant realities" about any minority community, yes.we have a few like that here,

[herding cats]

38. philosslayer, I cannot believe you'd say something like that here.

It was kidnapping and torture, not "bullying" which took place.

[cwydro]

74. Search his posts.

Then you will believe it.

[xor]

76. Can't believe philosslayer would say that? heh. You must not be too familiar with PS

If philosslayer didn't say something like that I'd assume something was afoot with his/her account.

[leftynyc]

92. Please do a little research

on that poster's comments. You will have zero trouble believing it, I promise you.

[Rustyeye77]

42. Go for it.... maybe it was an "accident"

[Rustyeye77]

50. Seriously dude

Have you asked yourself why you enjoy saying things to incite responses??

ask yourself that.

[RBInMaine]

60. This was a very serious crime and these four will rot in prison for many years and GOOD!!

[grossproffit]

66. SMH!

[HoneyBadger]

80. They cut him so deep that you could see bone

[Wiseman32218]

89. How is this fake news?

This is very disturbing and downright despicable as President Obama described it. Sorry This is just totally out of control people creating a very disgusting and horrible act.

[cwydro]

69. It's not fake "scholar".

Sheesh.

[uppityperson]

3. Here's the CNN linked to. Doing this to a special needs kid?

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/04/us/chicago-facebook-live-beating/

[NWCorona]

5. This is the same guy who called this crime "childish stupidity"

[virgogal]

6. Saying "f***white people" isn't racist?

Then what the hell is?

[WillowTree]

13. That was going to be my question, too. But if you read at the link.......

.......that's not what this story says. In fact, the first line of the story is,

"Four people were arrested Wednesday after police say they broadcast the beating and racial taunting of a man on Facebook Live."

It does say toward the end of the item that,

"The Associated Press reports Chicago police don't believe the teen was targeted because he was white."

which may or may not be the case, but race was obviously at least part of the motivation behind this reprehensible attack on a defenseless, innocent victim.

The thread headline is definitely misleading.

[Dorian Gray]

18. That's definitely racist

I fear that the boy was targeted bc he was special needs, which is an even greater hate crime. Those kids suck.

[Joe941]

46. Yup, its racist - no doubt there.

[lapislzi]

15. Am I the only person who's skeptical?

Not that this happened; obviously it did, and it's plainly terrible. (No, I won't watch it; I'll take everyone's word). And of course because it's Black people tormenting a white, disabled person, the media are going to be all over it like a cheap suit, because it serves a narrative.

But there is something here that doesn't ring true. I would not be surprised if this turned out to be some kind of false flag. Or, maybe I'm just too old and too paranoid.

[malaise]

19. If they did it throw the book at them n/t

[lapislzi]

23. Yes, absolutely

I didn't mean to suggest that anyone who would do this doesn't deserve to feel the full weight of the law.

However, I can't shake the feeling that this sounds almost scripted to be as horrific as possible. Which would mean that anyone behind such a plan is just as culpable and despicable.

Am I making sense?

[hardluck]

28. Not really

On one hand you say it happened. On the other hand you say it may be a false flag operation. So which is it?

[lapislzi]

44. I am not trying to say it didn't happen.

I am also not trying to start an argument. As another OP pointed out elsewhere, this doesn't pass the smell test to me.

False flag operations are actual events. They are just not what they seem to be at first glance. They are events manipulated so that their motivations appear other than they actually are, and to influence a narrative or effect an outcome.

Yes, this terrible beating happened and a real victim was harmed. I'm not disputing that. However, it's not impossible that the incident could also have been scripted and directed by an outside party whose purpose was to make the left, Black people, liberals, people who didn't vote for the yam, insert-group-here, look bad. Because that serves a narrative that "both sides do it," or "Black people beating on whites is a thing," or what have you. Those are not mutually exclusive conditions.

I hope I am being clear.

[metroins]

104. Watch the video

And the police are involved.

No false flag. Real people are involved.

A real person was tortured, real people are going to jail and a real police commissioner is doing press conferences.

[cwydro]

77. Sure you are.

And you're making excuses for these cretins.

But ok. I think I know why.

[philosslayer]

37. I agree

If this was four white individuals doing this to an African American child, we'd likely never even hear about it.

[Ace Rothstein]

39. LO-fucking-L

[MicaelS]

43. Bull fucking shit.

It would be national news and protests in the streets.

[Waldorf_]

49. I'm pretty sure if what you described had happened I would be reading a lot more posts about this

terrible act that happened.

And i doubt any of them would be saying this was some type of fake new.

[cwydro]

71. I can't help but wonder

why you are still here.

[Jake Stern]

78. 1.. Bullshit

2. If anyone dared say it didn't "pass the smell test" they'd be deleted and banned with lightning speed.

3. The cities would be aflame right about now.

[leftynyc]

93. LOL

Looks like I'm not the only one who has gotten your number. You lose more credibility every single day.

[philosslayer]

126. Oh?

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_585ac1d0e4b0eb586484dd02

How much did you see about this story on the national news? I don't remember seeing it at all

Maybe you should have your facts straight before deciding who does and who does not have credibility

[leftynyc]

128. And what does that disgusting story

have to do with you CONTINUALLY downplaying, disparaging and deflecting from any story - any story - that shows any minority community in a bad light. I know it must be hard to see more and more people onto your game. I don't care. I sure don't see anyone questioning my credibility.

[philosslayer]

129. You scoffed at the suggestion I made

I then followed up with a specific example that demonstrated I was correct. Which you followed up with a personal attack. I know what I need to know

[leftynyc]

133. Was the victim special needs?

Or a friend of one of his attackers (oh that's right, there was only one attacker which means this was one of a dozen such stories to come out that day). Your pathetic need to deflect by bringing up some other crime is telling everyone what they need to know and I'm enjoying watching more an more DUers get your number. And you still haven't said one word about this victim - just like every other story like this you try and deflect from.

[philosslayer]

138. Yes, several participated, and yes, the victim was special needs

Which makes this in several ways similar to what happened in Chicago. If you had bothered to actually read the article of course. But I guess its more fun for you to spew venom than to read details.

[leftynyc]

141. BTW -

It has gone unnoticed by anyone that you still haven't said anything about the victim here. Also that you continue to deflect away from this story for "some strange reason". It's being noticed plenty so continue on....you prove my point with each and every single post.

[leftynyc]

139. LOL

I'll stick with my reputation around here. It seems you're the one people are TRULY getting to know. Why I didn't put you on ignore is a mystery. You do nothing but stain this site.

[philosslayer]

142. You still haven't disputed what I put up

Very similar crime.... white on black instead of black on white... and very little media coverage. Yet all you can do is hurl personal attacks. Again, its quite telling.

[leftynyc]

143. And you still haven't

said one word about the victim of THIS story. It's being noticed. Keep deflecting.

[philosslayer]

144. I've been very clear

I hope he's okay, and look forward to a trial to find out what REALLY happened.

[leftynyc]

145. Keep digging (n/t)

[philosslayer]

146. You too!

Don't let that anger get you down

[whathehell]

110. Say what?

Give us a break -- You'd hear about it, and most definitely it on THIS board.

.

[Calculating]

135. wtf is your problem?

....

[Dr. Strange]

140. We see him trollin'

We hatin'

[hedda_foil]

41. No, you're not the only one.

It's just a little too conveenient.

[Jake Stern]

79. Would you say it didn't "pass the smell test" if the races were reversed?

And here I though conspiracy theory was a specialty of the right.

[melman]

90. Not likely

and if they did you'd probably never see it because the post would be almost instantly removed.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

132. What the heck doesn't ring true?

This certainly isn't the first time a group of young African Americans attack a white person unprovoked. This shit goes both ways - black against white, and white against black.

[malaise]

17. I don't give a flying fugg although I doubt it

Throw away the fugging keys

[Rustyeye77]

21. i think a long prison sentence would be nice.

so they can feel what its like.

[Chernobyl]

22. No, the police said they don't believe the teen was targeted because he was white. The police

just arrested the 4 people and have just started investigating the incident.

All signs in the video point to this clearly being a hate crime, claiming otherwise is nothing more than lying to yourself. Acting like this didn't happen won't make it go away, we need to deal with this and stop it from happening again even if it does make "our side" look bad.

[malaise]

24. Both race and disabilities are protected

Both are hate crimes.

[Chernobyl]

33. And CNN is reporting that the 4 suspects have been charged with a hate crime.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/05/us/chicago-facebook-live-beating/index.html

"Four suspects have been charged in connection with the Facebook Live torture video in Chicago.
Jordan Hill, 18; Tesfaye Cooper; 18; Brittany Covington, 18; and Tanishia Covington, 24, have each been charged with hate crime, felony aggravated kidnapping, aggravated unlawful restraint and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Hill, Cooper and Brittany Covington also face charges of residential burglary.
Hill also faces charges of possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
The suspects will appear in court Friday.
Earlier, police said all four suspects were 18 years old."

[razorman03038]

151. I am ambivalent about the existence of 'hate crime' laws. Still not sure

how I feel about them. But, if these laws are going to be on the books, this incident seems to fit the criteria.

[SaschaHM]

57. There's a difference between...

racists and bigots doing something horrendous and using racist/bigoted language while doing it and racists/bigots doing something for racist/bigoted reasons. A hate crime is the latter and as such requires a proper investigation to discern the motive. Let's say I'm having a dispute with my neighbor over my dogs. If he snaps and beats me up and during the course of said attack calls me a slur, it would be hard to charge him with a hate crime as his motivation wasn't to attack me because I am a member of said protected class, it was over a dispute regarding my dogs. As such hate crimes are notoriously hard to prove and prosecute.

In this case, we have these folks using racist/bigoted language while assaulting a guy that they kidnapped. There have also been some rumblings that one of the teens knew the guy and that's why he got into the car with them in first place. The job of the prosecutor would be to prove that his race or his disability was the motive for torturing and kidnapping him which the video doesn't prove. The video proves that during the commission of a crime, they used racist/bigoted language.

[Chernobyl]

58. And at this point all 4 of the suspects HAVE been charged with a hate crime along with a whole

host of other charges. Apparently the DA has enough to suspect that this was indeed a hate crime, either based on the color of the victim's skin or his disability. Because we only heard them speak about his skin color and not about his disability it's reasonable to assume that this was indeed a hate crime based on race where 4 African Americans kidnapped and tortured an unarmed Caucasian mentally handicapped man while using racial slurs on live video.

I'm sure we'll find out more as the story progresses, at least most of us have moved past the point of believing this is a fake news story.

[SaschaHM]

61. The first part is correct.

The DA feels that he/she has enough evidence to charge them with a hate crime. The second part isn't. Racists using racial slurs during the commission of a crime has never been a hate crime. If they were to say on video "We're doing this because you are white or disabled", then yes that would be a hate crime, but that's not even remotely close to what the video show. It shows racist criminals committing a crime and being racist. It's only reasonable to assume that it's a hate crime, if you're ignoring what a hate crime, as written into law, actually is and focusing on the classes of the victims relative to each other, which you seem to be doing. A white guy attacking a black guy and using slurs does not meet to bill of a hate crime, no matter outrage, unless one can prove that the motive behind the attack was racial.

[Chernobyl]

62. I guess we'll just have to wait to see the evidence in the case. Based on what I saw in that video

I'm having a difficult time coming up with a motive for that crime other than the victim's race and/or disability. There's no report that they robbed him, they didn't demand a ransom during the kidnapping, they released him when they were done with the attack and they filmed it and broadcast-ed it live on Facebook during the crime.

I still contend that it's perfectly reasonable to deduce that this was a hate crime based on the victim's disability and/or race. If I'm wrong and it wasn't a hate crime, but they're "wrongly" convicted of a hate crime I'm perfectly fine with that as well.

[SaschaHM]

64. We'll see.

Absent some more evidence, I don't see the prosecutors convicting them on a hate crimes charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Racist people saying racist things isn't enough. What they said in the video could be used as evidence towards a particular motive no doubt, but any Defense Attorney worth their salt could fight that tooth and nail.

[whathehell]

123. It's already been seen and heard on the tape you've refused to watch..

because the scumbags were not only sick enough to do this, they were stupid enough to live stream it.

[whathehell]

86. I don't recall.such this sort of hairsplitting being

done on behalf of the "deplorables" who've attacked minorities in the name of Trump and there's no reason to do it here, either.

[SaschaHM]

88. What?

False equivalency much? I'm sorry you might want to dumb down the discussion for your own benefit, but we're talking about legal statutes and some folks would like to be informed.

[whathehell]

102. LOL.

You've already "dumbed down the conversation" with your pathetic use of the noun "equivalency" as a verb, duh. You might want to get liiterate before attempting to expound on "legal statutes".

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

147. If they wouldn't have attacked a black guy

it's a hate crime.

[SaschaHM]

149. If the prosecution says "they wouldn't have attacked a black guy"...

they would be laughed out the courtroom. What matters is if their motive for this particular crime was focused on the protected class of the victim, not some hypothetical about what they would do with any other race. The DA feels confident enough that he/she can prove it in court, and I hope they can. However, as someone who follows hate crime prosecutions and understands how hard it is to prove such a thing without a flat out confession or a manifesto, I'm not getting my hopes up. It's not a crime to be racist. It's not a crime to say racists things. It's not a crime to be racist and to say racists things while in the midst of another crime. It is a crime to have selected your victim because of your racism.

[icymist]

68. 'Our side' Chernobyl?

What do you mean by saying 'our side'? Is this an us and them issue? What I see is four really hateful people kidnapping and torturing a vulnerable human being because they could. It's people like former Speaker Gingrich who are fanning the flames of race and warning of further dividing America:

"If this had been done to an African-American by four whites, every liberal in the country would be outraged and there would be no question that it is a hate crime," Gingrich said in an interview on "Fox & Friends."

"We are right at the edge of a terrible period — which I know President-elect Donald Trump wants to avoid — of having a deep bitter division in the communities in a way that makes America very hard to govern."

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/312798-gingrich-on-chicago-torture-video-we-are-right-on-the-edge-of-a

Gingrich seems to be creating an 'us and them' mentality while saying that his man Trump doesn't want that.

[Chernobyl]

70. When I say "our side" I mean those of us who are on the right side of the law. While that may be

a bit blurry in many cases it isn't in this case. "Our side" doesn't kidnap people, "our side" doesn't bind people with straps, beat them, kick them and cut pieces of their flesh off with a knife. "Our side" doesn't condone actions like these, our side doesn't make excuses for things like this and our side doesn't try to hide what took place by way of censorship or denial which sadly seems to be an issue in this case around here.

There are still quite a few people here who are openly claiming that this situation doesn't pass their smell test or that somehow the victim was in on this incident and that it was some sort of political stunt. Anyone crazy enough to believe those sorts of things isn't on "Our side" in my opinion.

[kcr]

109. How does this make our side look bad?

Can't wait to hear this.

Edit just saw post 70. Those people making those claims aren't on our side.

[whathehell]

112. BS.. One of the peeps is actually heard on the tape saying "He represents Trump"

as well.as things like "Fuck white people".

[WillowTree]

30. Then why are the Chicago police considering charging these punks with hate crimes?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-trump-cursed-man-attacked-facebook-video-20170104-story.html

[.99center]

48. The police sound certain that he was targeted because of his disability.

"Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi later said investigators believe the man was targeted because he had special needs, not because he was white."

[WillowTree]

51. That doesn't preclude a hate crime charge.

It occurs to me that the primary motivation could have been Trump hate/race hate and that they chose that poor soul to take it out on because he was the most vulnerable victim they found. One doesn't preclude the other, and there was certainly a race factor involved.

[whathehell]

84. because it was..

The rest is b.s. You have to be a real garbage to torture ANYONE, but especially a mentally disabled person.

[Recursion]

103. They charge he was targeted because of his mental/emotional disability (nt)

[WillowTree]

121. Which, as I said before, doesn't mean that it wasn't a hate crime.

And hate crime charges are, indeed, being included.

The fact that they chose the most vulnerable white person around doesn't mean that the attack wasn't racially motivated. "Fuck white people" tends to remove much doubt of that motivation.

[Recursion]

125. It means it is a hate crime, which is why that's what they're charging (nt)

[HassleCat]

31. I know it seems like fake news

But there are numerous articles asking why the Chicago police refuse to call this a hate crime. The answer is quite simple. They are afraid of racial violence. My theory is, they will avoid any public statement that calls it a hate crime or attributes a racial motive for as long as they can hold off. I'm not sure this will work out very well. The public doesn't like stone walling.

[WillowTree]

32. See the Chicago Tribune article I linked to above.

Hate crime charges are, indeed, being considered.

[NWCorona]

34. Agreed. This is why IMHO they are talking up the disabled factor.

IMHO both should be a factor.

[Dorian Gray]

97. They are not

refusing to say this was a hate crime. The four perpetrators have been charged as such.

They questioned whether the victim was targeted bc he was white. It appears more complicated than that. It appears as though he was targeted bc he was friends with one of the attackers. He was disabled in some way. He willingly went with the guy, thinking they were friends. Then shit changed.

Hate crime, absolutely.

Targeted bc white? Yes, along with other reasons.

[whathehell]

114. He was likely targeted for both reasons,..His disability made him "easy prey"

The racist slurs can be heard on the tape.

[Rustyeye77]

40. names of these lovely people

Tesfaye Cooper, 18
Brittany Covington, 18
Tanishia Covington, 24,
Jordan Hill, 18,

[ogsball]

47. Great response from BLM

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/king-don-chicago-white-assault-case-blm-movement-article-1.2935825

<clip>
What we are witnessing here is that fact that when particular African-Americans commit a crime, many whites use the crime to cast aspersions and stereotype all black folk. It’s a ridiculous double standard rooted in racism and oppression.

Human beings do ugly stuff. I see it all over the world. Sometimes we learn what motivates people to be vicious, sometimes we don’t. I can think of a lot of people throughout history who this ugly crime in Chicago could be inspired by, but it damn sure isn’t me or the Black Lives Matter Movement.

I have never once heard one person in this movement mock the disabled. You know who I did see and hear mocking the disabled? Donald Trump. You know I did hear openly advocating violence from the microphone at his rallies last year? Donald Trump. He has drastically lowered the standard of decency for this country to a level that I have never seen before.

<clip>

[uponit7771]

52. +1, " cast aspersions and stereotype all black folk."

[whathehell]

122. No one here is doing that..

but we're not calling it "fake news" or going "crickets" on it either.

[uponit7771]

134. no one is talking about here

[whathehell]

137. Really? Than why are you posting it here?

Try specifics and full.sentences and maybe then we'll know what you're talking a out.

[Rustyeye77]

53. No way..

no one is blaming "black folk"

We ARE blaming 4 little shits who did this HORRENDOUS ACTS on a disabled person.

[SaschaHM]

56. BLMKidnapping was trending on Twitter last night.

Yes, folks were blaming black folk.

[Dorian Gray]

99. Really?

I had no idea.

If people are blaming BLM for this, then I take back my previous post.

[whathehell]

113. Some conservative folk are FALSELY blaming BLM..

The rest of are just correctly blaming the black folk involved...This white person supports BLM..She doesn't support the hateful

filth that did this.

[herding cats]

59. Yeah, they are blaming black folks all over social media.

The racist are using this as blanket proof that their racism is valid. That's what they do, latch onto any incidents where non-white people do something terrible and use it as proof that all of X demographic are bad.

While I don't agree with people here, or anyplace, saying this is fake, I can understand not wanting to believe anyone could be so hateful, and fucking stupid, as to have done what these people did. A lot of good people will have to deal with the blowback caused by these 4 despicable fools.

[Rustyeye77]

65. Then i apologize...i didnt know.

nt

[Cha]

96. That's what I was thinking when I read about this

for the first time.. right here.

I so wish they hadn't been the cruel vicious people they turned out to be.. for the disabled guy and for all the blowback that will follow.

And, you saw the excellent response from #BLM

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=8434567

[Chernobyl]

54. The 4 people arrested for this crime never once mocked the guy because of his disability

in the video, they attacked his skin color and they attacked Donald Trump over and over again. I'm not understanding why people continually try to deflect away from what took place live on social media for everyone to see.

[Oneironaut]

73. Because they're conditioned to jump to goofy politically correct extremes.

I mean, forget what the attackers actually said over and over again. That's not important at all! Let's insert our own narrative (they hated him because he was mentally challenged) and claim that's the actual truth without any evidence.

Our media is a mess. This is proof of it. This was a hate crime. Anyone pretending otherwise is deluding themselves, is afraid to admit it, or both.

[Chernobyl]

85. I agree

Some of these comments/replies are just scary.

[HoneyBadger]

81. I do not see how the video proves that they attacked him because he was special needs

Much easier prove that they attacked him for being white. If the prosecuter goes after the special needs hate crime vs the racial hate crime, they are trying lose the case. With the help of the CPD. I think this could go federal because CPD has muddied the waters.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

148. They attacked a white guy who couldn't defend himself

Fucking assholes - everyone of them, and the same for anyone who defends them.

[cwydro]

150. Thank you.

Too funny watching DUers try to justify this somehow.

[kcr]

111. Edit

I didn't see this was in a ST which changes the context.

[Cha]

95. That is an excellent response.. thank you, ogsball

[Dorian Gray]

98. This is fine and all

but of all the anger about this attack, I've never heard one person speculate that Black Lives Matter had inspired it in any way. They don't need to feel defensive about this. What four horrible people choose to do has absolutely no reflection on their positive movement.

[melman]

107. Terrible piece

Anytime someone say 'yes this is bad BUT,' you know that what follows the 'but' is going to be bullshit.

[whathehell]

83. Of course it was..

and the crime is being charged as a Hate Crime. The scumbags were able to lure this poor guy because he believed one of them to be his "friend".

[HipChick]

94. Where's the outrage? Crickets..Different treatment for white suspects...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028435152

[whathehell]

116. Oh please..There's plenty of outrage about white on black crime on this board..

as well as in the media...One post hardly tells the whole story.

[sarisataka]

124. So does that justify the actions

of the people in the video?

And there was outrage to that incident-
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027855349

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141585560

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/10027855206

I don't see any claims of "fake news" or "sniff tests" in any of those replies

[no_hypocrisy]

105. Race may be a factor but it may not be the only reason or major reason behind the crime.

Note the attackers cited Donald Trump.

If attackers wanted to go after a white victim, they selected someone who couldn't fight back and could be effectively humiliated and injured. Not to mention make it a four-against-one proposition.

The police are not in a position to determine whether or not race wasn't a factor at all. That's for the prosecutor to claim and for a judge or jury to determine.

[whathehell]

117. Actually, that's not true..One of the perps can be heard on tape mentioning Trump..

Absurdly enough, he says this mentally challenged teenager "represents Trump".

[no_hypocrisy]

118. I did cite them invoking Trump.

My point being there were multiple motivations behind the attack: It was a kid their age or younger; the kid was white; and the kid was mentally disabled. All three factors made the kid a target of victimization.

My point was the police are not in a position to declare that race wasn't a factor. They have to investigate, put their findings in a report to the prosecutor, and let the facts be determined at trial.

[whathehell]

120. I didn't see that, but I believe you..

I think more than one factor was involved as well and I've acknowledged that already in other posts on this thread.

[Truth321]

106. Culture of no lives matter

Is all too common. Kudnapping, torture, robbery, rape murder. Anything goes. So much is done for a thrill.

[romanic]

130. No Lives seem to matter in Chicago.

[apnu]

115. Now there are hate crimes charges

Chicago Sun Times: http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/black-captors-torture-white-victim-rant-against-trump-cpd-says/

Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-facebook-live-attack-video-20170105-story.html

[Calculating]

136. Obviously a racially motivated hate crime

People need to quit being apologists and accept this for what it is. They weren't mocking him for being mentally handicapped. They were mentioning his skin color, and repeatedly bringing up Trump.