Feds Won't Prosecute Firefighters' Noose Case - unsure if hoax or hate crime

[The Straight Story]

Feds Won't Prosecute Firefighters' Noose Case
Prosecutor Says It Can't Be Known If Incident Was Hate Crime Or Hoax

POSTED: 4:17 pm EST November 22, 2006


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A federal prosecutor declined Wednesday to prosecute anyone in two cases where nooses were placed on the equipment of black firefighters in Jacksonville, saying the evidence was inconclusive.

U.S. Attorney Paul Perez, in a letter to Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford said it was impossible to determine if one of the cases was "a hate crime or a hoax." In the other case, Perez said "we do not believe there is a reasonable probability of obtaining a conviction" for federal hate crimes or for perjury.

Perez' letter said investigators and a federal grand jury looked into allegations that on Feb. 17 and Aug. 25, 2005, firefighters claimed that nooses had been left on their equipment.

The federal prosecutor cited the lack of cooperation of victims and conflicting statements of many of those interviewed as a factor in declining to prosecute anyone for the alleged crimes.

"We recently concluded that there are no readily provable federal charges that can be brought," Perez wrote.

http://www.local6.com/news/10382225/detail.html

[Mythsaje]

1. Translation:

"Fuck if we know."