Debbie Hines on MSNBC explains the Michael Slager trial and the implications of the lone juror holdout. Former Charleston, SC police officer Michael Slager, who is on trial for the murder of Walter Scott, after firing 5 shots into Scott’s back, while fleeing from the officer, may get an early Christmas present—his freedom. As of Friday, a jury of 11 white persons and one lone black juror failed to reach an unanimous verdict. Eleven of the jurors support a conviction of either first degree murder or voluntary manslaughter. One lone hold-out states in a letter given to the judge that he or she is unable to come to a guilty verdict and won’t come to a verdict (paraphrased). Judge Newman did not order a mistrial on Friday, December 2. Instead, Judge Newman instructed the jury to go home over the weekend and continue deliberations on Monday, December 5. Michael Slager may have already won his freedom and the right to a new trial with the help of the one lone … [Read more...] about Why Walter Scott’s Killer May be Re-Tried–Even if Found Guilty
Charleston
Why Charleston Church Killings Are All About Race
Dylann Roof goes into Emanuel African Methodist Church, a historically black church, kills the Pastor and 8 persons during Bible study and some people raise the gun control issue. I understand about guns and gun control legislation. The facts of the Charleston church killings are about race hatred in America. And any discussion of gun control in these particular killings dilutes and diminishes the real reason of racial hatred towards blacks. No one ever said 911 was about faulty security checks in airplane flying schools from which the terrorists learned how to fly airplanes but never learned how to land them. No one said Columbine school killings and the Boston Marathon bombings were about making home grown bombs. No one said the 1963 killings of 4 little girls bombed at a Birmingham church was about bombs. To be black in America means being a target for terrorism and hatred whether blacks want to be or not. Being black in America means no place feels safe without … [Read more...] about Why Charleston Church Killings Are All About Race
Why Charleston Church Shooting Should Matter to Everyone
As I watched the news late Wednesday night unfold mostly online about Emanuel AME Church in Charleston and killing of 9 people during a Bible study meeting including –Pastor and State Senator Clementa Pinckney, I had a multitude of thoughts and emotions. My initial thoughts were how history repeats itself. As a history major, I immediately thought of the tragic 1963 bombing of the historic Birmingham, Alabama 16th Street Baptist church where four little black girls lost their lives due to a bomb and hatred. As many may recall, that was among the first scenes in the movie, Selma. Then my thoughts immediately questioned as to why there were so few national media outlets initially covering the breaking news. Some responses I received on Twitter about the initial lack of media coverage were maybe the media was waiting to see how the news developed since few facts were known. In the 24/7 news cycle, this was the most breaking news of the day and perhaps the entire year. Even … [Read more...] about Why Charleston Church Shooting Should Matter to Everyone
Why the 2nd Officer in the Walter Scott Case Must Be Charged
Officer Clarence Harbersham is the black officer hovering over Walter Scott’s body in the viral video taken by Feidin Santana. In the video, it clearly shows that Officer Habersham never administered CPR or aid to Walter Scott, despite his report statements. Habersham’s police reports and subsequent statements also never mentioned that now former officer Michael Slager dropped what appears to be the Taser gun next to the body of Walter Scott. It’s probably fair to state the reasons for his omission about the Taser or black object being dropped is obvious—to support the cover up of his fellow officer Slager. Some African Americans in North Charleston, South Carolina refer to the action as “Code Blue”, a code of conduct to protect police bad conduct. Habersham’s statement of giving aid to Mr. Scott which turned out to be false is grounds for charges on obstruction of justice, filing a false report and other similar charges. The question remains as to why Officer Habersham has not … [Read more...] about Why the 2nd Officer in the Walter Scott Case Must Be Charged