Murder, Hate Crime Charges in Tulsa Shootings

[cali]

Source: AP


TULSA, Okla. April 13, 2012 (AP)

Oklahoma prosecutors filed murder and hate crime charges Friday against two men arrested in an Easter weekend shooting spree that left three people dead and terrorized Tulsa's black community.

Jake England, 19, and his roommate, Alvin Watts, 33, each are charged with three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of shooting with intent to kill and five counts of malicious harassment. The harassment counts allege the victims were targeted because of their race.

Police say the men, who were arrested early Sunday after a two-day manhunt, appeared to have chosen five victims at random. Three died and two others were wounded. Under state law, first-degree murder is punishable by death or life in prison. Prosecutors said decisions about whether to seek the death penalty are usually made after a preliminary hearing.


"Filing charges is the first step to obtain justice for the victims and their families," said Doug Drummond, Tulsa County First Assistant District Attorney. "This is a tragic and senseless crime. Our office is committed to holding those responsible accountable for their actions."

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/murder-hate-crime-charges-tulsa-shooting-spree-16132575#.T4hwydl9Z_Y

[Cali_Democrat]

1. Good!

Hopefully this will deter some Americans from targeting blacks in the future. This goes for Zimmerman and the woman who rammed a 13-year-old black kid in a go-kart. Obviously it won't' deter all the bigots full of hatred.

Blacks should have the right to walk down the street without getting shot and killed like everybody else.

[humblebum]

2. Very good news. But that needs to be applied to more than

just white on black crimes.

[1StrongBlackMan]

3. Are you kidding ...?

Are you suggesting that here in America there is some mis-application of the law where Black folks that harm white folks are routinely allowed to walk away?

[humblebum]

5. Stop making more of it than what was said. A hate crime is a hate crime. nt

[1StrongBlackMan]

8. Okay ...

Show me where there is a single case of a Black prepetrator attacking a single white person after posting to the internet racist comments, or otherwise making a racial motive clear ... that has not been arrested and charged.

I'll be over here eating popcorn and listening to the crickets.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. It is.

If you look at hate crime statistics, you can see whites are victims of hate crimes as well. Also, hate crimes aren't just "crime." Just because the victim and perpetrator are different colors, doesn't mean a hate crime was committed. In this case, these assholes went looking for African-Americans...ANY African-American and murdered them in cold blood...that is why this is a hate crime.

[OneAngryDemocrat]

6. Who the FUCK are you kidding?

Show me, Humblebum, any state's hate crimes law that says it only applies to white on black crimes, and I won't show you a closet bigot pretending that any of them do.

[humblebum]

7. Where did I say any of them didn't? And let's hope they are applied as such.nt

[OneAngryDemocrat]

9. Texas Two-Step...

Where, Humblebum?

Your original post, of course:

"...that needs to be applied to more than just white on black crimes."

Speaking as a white guy SICK AND FRICKIN' TIRED of cry-baby, whiny, white bigots, I see no reason to doubt that hate crimes laws are applied to more than "just" white on black crimes.

Apparently, you do.

And that's pure CRAP.

Now we can get past the bullshit, and you can throw your cards down: What makes you doubt hate crimes legislation is, or is not, being evenly and fairly applied, Humblebum?

[humblebum]

11. Where did I ever say that it was not, Bubba?

Stop trying to read things into what I have said.

[felix_numinous]

10. Good news.

Wow this was quick.