Mother Jones - Comments for ""Adolescents Play Pranks...""

Following the beating incident, the Justice Department reopened its investigation into the noose-hanging incident and determined there was no link between the nooses and the attack on Justin Barker at Jena High School. U.S. Attorney Donald Washington told CNN that, "A lot of things happened between the noose hanging and the fight occurring, and we have arrived at the conclusion that the fight itself had no connection." He added that none of the black students involved in the beating made "any mention of nooses, of trees, of the 'N' word or any other word of racial hate." According to CNN, federal official also examined the way the school handled the infractions and whether black students were being treated differently than white students. Washington told CNN that they discovered "it was not unusual for the school superintendent to reinstate students after the principal recommends expelling them." Washington also told CNN that the 16-year-old defendant, Mychal Bell, has "several previous assault charges on his record."

The CNN story ("U.S. Attorney: Nooses, Beating at Jen High Not Related") is online at http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/09/19/jena.six.link/index.html

As Washington pointed out, none of the black students accused of assaulting Barker allege that Barker taunted them or used racial slurs. Witnesses to the beating said that Barker never spoke to the black students and was unaware of their presence until he was attacked. Two of the Jena Six denied they were involved in the beating and the others said they were angry because they overheard Barker discussing the fight at the private party.

The fight at the private party did not involve white students or white kids, it involved some members of the Jena Six and white adults. Both blacks and whites were invited to the private party at the Jena Fair Barn. Trouble started when a group of uninvited black youths, including Robert Bailey, attempted to crash the party. When one of the hosts, a white woman, asked them to leave, they refused. Rather than calling police to eject the party crashers, a 22-year-old white male named Justin Sloan confronted the party crashers and hit Robert Bailey. Sloan was charged with battery. He pled guilty to the charge and was granted parole because it was his first offense.

The Jena Police Department and prosecutor's office have repeatedly refuted allegations Sloan hit Bailey with a beer bottle are false or that the fight involved gangs of white kids are false. These allegations began appearing in blogs only after the Jena incidents drew national attention. In his police statement, Bailey says merely that Sloan and Matt Windham, a 21-year-old male, hit him. To date, Sloan is the only person convicted and sentenced in connection with the Jena Six incidents.

Three circumstances elevate charges of simple battery to aggravate battery: (1) a deadly weapon is used, (2) serious bodily injury is inflicted, and (3) the victim is vulnerable, defenseless or helpless. Sloan was charged with simple battery rather than aggravated battery because he did not use a weapon, and no serious injures were inflicted (Bailey did not require medical attention). The Jena Six have been charged with aggravated battery because serious injuries were inflicted (Barker required medical treatment and his medical expenses are estimated at $14,000) and because the attack continued after Bailey lay helpless and unconscious on the ground.

(The police documents relevant to the Jena Six incidents, including police statements made by alleged victims, alleged assailants and witnesses to the events, are posted near the bottom of the page at http://www.evangelicaloutpost.com/http. The site includes the medical report on Barker's injuries.)

The local prosecutor "said he didn't prosecute the students accused of hanging the nooses because he could find no applicable Louisiana law." This does is not an indication of unequal treatment. Walters also filed no hate crime charges against the Jena Six. Louisiana has no applicable hate crime laws

Barbie, your post is nonsense. People can change. It doesn't matter what you did yesterday, what are you doing for me today. Live in the present, not the past. The past is gone, the future has not come, you only have the present. Make the most of today. Ommm.

Apparently, Barbara, it's still alright to intimidate, maim and kill black folk: But this time, it's black folks killing black folks at record rate in America--to say nothing of the black folk who rape, beat, and kill white folk. Get your story straight, baby girl.

Has anyone looked into the background of Reed Walters, the prosecuting DA? The reason why I asked is because I cant seem to find anything on him except for his own home page.

I am not sure if any of you remember this, but when Michael Vick pleaded guilty to dogfighting charges, Senator Byrd took the podium on the floor, and announced "There's a special place in hell for you Michael Vick!" (in reference to his killing dogs). When I looked up his background in the senate, I found that Senator Byrd was a member of the Ku Klux Klan and recruited more than 1,000 members. He claimed when confronted with this information, that this was in his younger days and he was only a member no more than a year or two. When further investigation was done, it was found that he was a member of this organization possibly stretching into more than a couple of decades. I guess it was alright to intimidate, maim and kill black folk.

It is indeed a sad state of afffairs when in this day and age so many of our young people have lost faith in the political and criminal justice system. Why, because of incidents just like this one. Our youth have been lied to for so long that they fear nothing, they respect nothing and they care about nothing. The courts,law enforcement and educators are not our children, they are the "smart, educated" law maker and enforcers who have done nothing to ensure equality. What is right about anyone serving 20 years in prison for an assult and battery case, nothing! What is fair or just about having to get permission to sit anywhere on public property, again nothing. Responsible adults have been entrusted to make decisions to protect and care for our well being but at what price. We elect politicians to represent us, to speak up again injustice, to make wrong things right, yet where are they when the elections are over? It's time to fix the problem, it's time to make wrong things right, it's time we do more than talk about change, it's time to make a positive change, and it starts with you and me and countless others who are sick and tired of injustice and political corruption. The time for change is NOW!!!

What kind of world are we really living in. How do these people think that hanging a noose is funny and cute? We have children that are growing up in this madness. What do we tell them? How do we as sensable people deal with this type of mess?

I am not sure what happens with recent posts to old article, but here's hoping that some folks will see this.

Reading many of the comments, it seems it is easy to lose sight of the kids who are defendants (and one a convict). They are actually facing jail time which will have them out only by age 40!

My interest is "can I do something that will take only a little time, and make a difference?

I made an e-mail and sent it around and asked those I sent it to, to send it to five others, etc. I included info as the District Attorney's office, a link to an online petition, etc.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Just for info., the chronology in the initial posting by Diane Dees, is incorrect. The noose incident took place before, not after, the others.

Here are some addresses:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&add...

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2083762,00.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-elf2u1mmay20,1,330116...

SIGN the petition here: http://www.petitiononline.com/aZ51CqmR/petition.html

District Attorney's Office in Jena: 318 ? 992 ? 8282

The latest is that Mychal Bell, 17, is scheduled to be sentenced 7/31/07 he might be in prison for at least 25 years...

Any further info and ideas appreciated

I am not sure what happens with recent posts to old article, but here's hoping that some folks will see this.

Reading many of the comments, it seems it is easy to lose sight of the kids who are defendants (and one a convict). They are actually facing jail time which will have them out only by age 40!

My interest is "can I do something that will take only a little time, and make a difference?

I made an e-mail and sent it around and asked those I sent it to, to send it to five others, etc. I included info as the District Attorney's office, a link to an online petition, etc.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Just for info., the chronology in the initial posting by Diane Dees, is incorrect. The noose incident took place before, not after, the others.

Here are some addresses:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&add...

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2083762,00.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-elf2u1mmay20,1,330116...

SIGN the petition here: http://www.petitiononline.com/aZ51CqmR/petition.html

District Attorney's Office in Jena: 318 992 8282

The latest is that Mychal Bell, 17, is scheduled to be sentenced 7/31/07 he might be in prison for at least 25 years...

Any further info and ideas appreciated

I am not sure what happens with recent posts to old article, but here's hoping that some folks will see this.

Reading many of the comments, it seems it is easy to lose sight of the kids who are defendants (and one a convict). They are actually facing jail time which will have them out only by age 40!

My interest is "can I do something that will take only a little time, and make a difference?

I made an e-mail and sent it around and asked those I sent it to, to send it to five others, etc. I included info as the District Attorney's office, a link to an online petition, etc.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Just for info., the chronology in the initial posting by Diane Dees, is incorrect. The noose incident took place before, not after, the others.

Here are some addresses:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&add...

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2083762,00.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-elf2u1mmay20,1,330116...

SIGN the petition here: http://www.petitiononline.com/aZ51CqmR/petition.html

District Attorney's Office in Jena: 318 ? 992 ? 8282

The latest is that Mychal Bell, 17, is scheduled to be sentenced 7/31/07 he might be in prison for at least 25 years...

Any further info and ideas appreciated

This is another disturbing story of the no so latent racism that continues to simmer, just under the surface, and then occasionally boil up down in these parts. Just to put things into geographic perspective consider that in June 1998 James Byrd was dragged to death by racist skinhead Neo-Nazi about 3 hrs southwest of Jena in Jasper, Tx (the three suspects were convicted and sentenced to life and/or long prison terms).

In 2003 a group of white kids at a 'pasture party' beat Billy Ray Johnson senseless in Linden, TX (home of ragtime composer Scott Joplin, the Eagles' Don Henley, and birthplace of blues legend T-Bone Walker [They Call It Stormy Monday']) about 4 hrs drive northwest of Jena. The "kids" received minimal sentences from an all-white jury in their criminal trial - "Just boys being boys" - but the Southern Poverty Law Center's Morris Dees recently won a $9 million settlement for Mr. Johnson in Jasper's civil court . Mr. Johnson is confined to a care facility for the rest of his life as a result of his head injury.

On December 30, 2006 newly elected black mayor Gerald Washington of Westlake, LA - 3 hrs southwest of Jena (right near Lake Charles) was found dead of a single gunshot wound to the chest in a parking lot. Although much controversy arose over this death and the evidently cavalier investigation by the local sheriff's dept it now appears that his death was a bona fide suicide brought on by the recognition that his new found notoriety would also make public his massive gambling losses and serial marital infidelities and the case has been closed. The family, it must be said, continues to contest the findings of several supporting investigations and a 3rd autopsy by an independent pathologist hired by the family was inconclusive due to insufficient material evidence - a likely result of the poor crime-scene management.

On the 1st Sunday of the New Year, parties still unknown fired two shotgun blasts through the front window of the newly elected black mayor of Greenwood, LA - about 3 hrs northwest of Jena, just west of Shreveport - without injury to anyone. Despite an investigation including the FBI no charges have been filed.

Viewed in this perspective, it's not at all surprising to see the kids in this story charged from the Jim Crow edition of the U.S. Penal Code.

In Compton, California, the Blacks don't like us Mexicans taking over the town and they bang us. Seems to me, this Jena, Louisiana stuff doesn't involve banging, so what's the big deal. Just some feeling got hurt. I wish that that was the extent of the problem in Compton. In the L.A. county jail, same problem, the Blacks don't like it that we are the new power now. The local politicians are smart enough to stay out of the problem. We know how to handle it.

C'mon People!!!! This is 2007 not 1950! What the hell is wrong with this country?? Kids are Kids doesnt matter what color, and WHY SHOULD THEY EVEN HAVE TO ASK IF THEY CAN SIT ON A PARTICULAR SIDE OF PUBLIC OWNED PROPERTY??? EQUAL OP FOLKS! When is this school board, and apparentlt, the law, in this area of the country going to get with the times? There is no excuse for this.

As to the idea that the DOJ should/could investigate or in any way get involved is in sane times a good idea, but these are not sane times. Gonzales,Bush and the Republican party of the south are or would be a proper investigatory body or do a proper investigation is in great doubt. And if they were involved they would politicise the entire incident and bend it or use it for spin fodder to their own biased advantage.
And these people call themselves pro-life and christians. So much for pro-life and christianity. The pro-life and christian movement has sold out to the Bushies and the republican party.
So much for my religion which has sold out to republican politics.

Why yes there is Melissa, you can support the African American community by sending your donation to Rev. Jesse Jackson, Founder and PresidentRainbowPUSH Coalition, Inc , on the internet-RainbowPUSH Coalition. Reverend Jackson has been called the "Conscience of the Nation" and "the Great Unifier," challenging America to be inclusive and to establish just and human priorities for the benefit of all. He is known for bringing people together in common ground across lines of race, culture, class, gender and belief.

Is there anyway us distant yet concerned citizens can help support the African American community? Is there any type of formal organization in place where we can lend support?

Mother Jones - Comments for "&quot;Adolescents Play Pranks...&quot;"

Mother Jones - Comments for ""Adolescents Play Pranks...""