13-year-old burnt alive because of race in Missouri

[patriot2008]

If you really read up on the dragging death, they were friends and hung out together. Read about it before you start comparing hate crimes. I for one hate the hate crime stupid law. Totally biased for minorities and unnecessary. As far as the media goes, if that kid were black this would be in every paper and on every channel. I abhor any racism, its all part of a larger system to divide the sheep.

 

[MJU1983]

Drudged.

 

[BlackTerrel]

There is a big difference between first degree burns and killing someone. Also - to the OP: what would be the advantage of making this a national news story? Who would benefit from that?

 

[bolil]

Motivation cannot be considered a factor in the commission of a crime. Otherwise justice is subjective and therefore compromised. Hate, monetary gain, thrill, irrelevant. The crime committed is the only thing to be judged

 

[BlackTerrel]

There are laws against burning people, beating people, killing people. I fail to see why 'hate crime' laws are needed.

You think there should be no difference between someone:

1. Accidentally running someone over in their car

2. Getting in a bar fight with someone and in a fit of rage hitting them with a glass bottle

3. Shooting someone five times because you didn't like the color of their skin

Let's say in all incidences the victim dies. Do you see no difference between the three? In each subsequent case not only is the crime greater but the general danger to society as a whole increases.

 

[bolil]

You think there should be no difference between someone:

1. Accidentally running someone over in their car

2. Getting in a bar fight with someone and in a fit of rage hitting them with a glass bottle

3. Shooting someone five times because you didn't like the color of their skin

Let's say in all incidences the victim dies. Do you see no difference between the three? In each subsequent case not only is the crime greater but the general danger to society as a whole increases.

Accidentally running someone over is not an intentional commission, but still a crime. The other two, provided the person in example two dies, are both instances of murder and motivation is irrelevant.

 

[1000-points-of-fright]

Motivation cannot be considered a factor in the commission of a crime. Otherwise justice is subjective and therefore compromised. Hate, monetary gain, thrill, irrelevant. The crime committed is the only thing to be judged

Establishing motive is a perfectly reasonable part of the process (in conjunction with physical evidence, witnesses, etc) when trying to prove someone is guilty of committing a crime. But once guilt has been established and you move on to the sentencing then it should not be a factor.

 

[tod evans]

If I shoot somebody 5 times because they kick my dog or grab my wifes ass how are those 5 shots different than in the scenario you painted?

My belief is that the overt act of actually shooting someone is the crime, now if "malice and forethought" were an element of the offence then possibly a stiffer sentence should be sought by prosecutors.

Seeking to enhance sentencing of an overt act due to utterances or inferred motivation beyond premeditation is in my opinion granting prosecutors more power than is necessary. Especially given the discretion and inflammatory nature of the charges.

If we actually follow the logic of "hate-crime" allegations a woman who is an active feminist shoots her husband for making a misogynistic comment should be tried under these enhanced charges especially if she utters inflammatory statements about her husbands' sex.

You think there should be no difference between someone:

1. Accidentally running someone over in their car

2. Getting in a bar fight with someone and in a fit of rage hitting them with a glass bottle

3. Shooting someone five times because you didn't like the color of their skin

Let's say in all incidences the victim dies. Do you see no difference between the three? In each subsequent case not only is the crime greater but the general danger to society as a whole increases.

 

[Keith and stuff]

Hopefully, no one is charged under a hate crime law. Hate crime laws are bad and should all be abolished, immediately.

 

[basicopetsi]

This is the type of thing I'd love to share on my facebook but I dare wouldn't due to all of the people that would surely peg me as a racist for even mentioning such a taboo subject.

 

[basicopetsi]

You think there should be no difference between someone:

1. Accidentally running someone over in their car

2. Getting in a bar fight with someone and in a fit of rage hitting them with a glass bottle

3. Shooting someone five times because you didn't like the color of their skin

Let's say in all incidences the victim dies. Do you see no difference between the three? In each subsequent case not only is the crime greater but the general danger to society as a whole increases.

Sure there are differences between all of those. But I see no difference in shooting someone to death because of the color of their skin, or shooting someone to death just for fun. Exact same thing. Both should be charged with 1st degree murder.

The only consideration the law should give to motive is:

(a) was it intentional?
(b) was it premeditated?

Beyond that, considering anything else is getting much to close to thoughtcrime for my liking.

 

[BlackTerrel]

This is the type of thing I'd love to share on my facebook but I dare wouldn't due to all of the people that would surely peg me as a racist for even mentioning such a taboo subject.

Why would you love to share it on your facebook? Again - why the glee and who benefits from making this "viral"?

 

[basicopetsi]

Why would you love to share it on your facebook? Again - why the glee and who benefits from making this "viral"?

Because there is an epidemic of black on white (and black on Asian) violence in some areas that I think really needs to be called out and addressed. Please don't take this as a blanket statement, I know it's mostly confined to youth in only some areas. Also just to piss off some of my liberal friends.

 

[BlackTerrel]

Because there is an epidemic of black on white (and black on Asian) violence in some areas that I think really needs to be called out and addressed. Please don't take this as a blanket statement, I know it's mostly confined to youth in only some areas. Also just to piss off some of my liberal friends.

And publicizing it would stop the violence? How?

I also think you are exaggerating the issue.

 

[Roxi]

The word hate crime is seriously f**king stupid. When a person assaults, or kills another person, I think it a very rare situation where the said crime was done with love. So, adding the word hate is superfluous.