Details emerge in W.Va. torture case
 
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olympic PostPosted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:37 pm

Details emerge in W.Va. torture case

BIG CREEK, W.Va. — For at least a week, authorities say, a young black woman was held captive in a mobile home, forced to eat animal waste, stabbed, choked and repeatedly sexually abused - all while being peppered with a racial slur.

It wasn't until deputies acting on an anonymous tip drove to a ramshackle trailer deep in West Virginia's rural hills that she was found. Limping toward the door with her arms outstretched, she uttered, "Help me," the Logan County sheriff's office said.

Six people, all white, including a mother and son and a mother and daughter, have been arrested and could face federal hate crime charges in the suspected attack on 20-year-old Megan Williams, who remained hospitalized Tuesday with injuries that included four stab wounds in the leg, and black and blue eyes. Her right arm was in a cast.

"I'm better," Williams told The Associated Press in a voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't understand a human being doing another human being the way they did my daughter," Carmen Williams said Tuesday from the Charleston Area Medical Center. "I didn't know there were people like that out here."

The AP generally does not identify suspected victims of sexual assault, but Williams and her mother agreed to release her name.

A prosecutor said police are investigating the possibility that the victim was lured to the house and attacked by a man she had met online, but Carmen Williams insisted that wasn't the case. "This wasn't from the Internet," she said.

Authorities were still looking for two people they believe drove the woman to the house where she was abused, said Logan County Chief Deputy V.K. Dingess. Deputies also interviewed Williams on Tuesday morning. An FBI spokesman in Pittsburgh, Bill Crowley, confirmed that the agency is looking into possible civil rights violations.

The case is "something that would have come out of a horror movie," Logan County Sheriff W.E. Hunter said.

The home is in a forlorn part of Logan County about 50 miles southwest of Charleston, where the scattered homes are marked by "No Trespassing" signs. An old shed linked to a mobile home by an extension cord is what authorities say became a hellish prison for Williams.

Deputies found her when they drove to the home on Saturday after receiving an anonymous tip from someone who witnessed the abuse, officials said.

The woman was forced to eat rat and dog feces and drink from a toilet, according to the criminal complaint filed in magistrate court based on what the suspects told deputies. She also had been choked with a cord, it alleges. Deputies say the woman was also doused with hot water while being sexually assaulted.

One of those arrested, Karen Burton, is accused of cutting the woman's ankle with a knife. She used the N-word in telling the woman she was victimized because she is black, according to the criminal complaint.

Carmen Williams said doctors told her daughter she may be well enough to leave the hospital within a few days, although a nurse said the young woman's condition was listed as "under evaluation."

"I just want my daughter to be well and recover," Carmen Williams said. "I know the Lord can do anything."

The six suspects were arrested Saturday and Sunday. Frankie Brewster, the 49-year-old woman who owns the home where the suspected attacks occurred, is charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, malicious wounding and giving false information during a felony investigation.

Her son, Bobby R. Brewster, 24, also of Big Creek, is charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, malicious wounding and assault during the commission of a felony.

Frankie Brewster was released from prison in September 2000 after serving five years for voluntary manslaughter and wanton endangerment in the death of an 84-year-old woman, according to court records.

Burton, 46, of Chapmanville, is charged with malicious wounding, battery and assault during the commission of a felony.

Her daughter Alisha Burton, 23, of Chapmanville, and George A. Messer, 27, of Chapmanville, are charged with assault during the commission of a felony and battery.

Danny J. Combs, 20, of Harts, is charged with sexual assault and malicious wounding.

All six remained in custody Tuesday in lieu of $100,000 bail each, and all have asked for court-appointed attorneys.

http://www.wral.com/news/national_world/national/story/1803596/



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Fashionista PostPosted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:06 pm


The six suspects, clockwise from top left:
Bobby Brewster, Frankie Brewster,
Danny Combs, Karen Burton, Alisha Burton,
George Messer.
(CBS/AP)



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Fashionista PostPosted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:32 pm

Where is the outrage when humans are abused?

Story Highlights
° Thunderous condemnation greeted Michael Vick over dogfighting charges

° Where's the same outrage when woman is held and tortured; a couple killed?

° Celebrity news far more important than news about nobodies

° Blame lies with media -- and maybe with demands of viewers and readers



By Roland S. Martin
CNN Contributor



(CNN) -- When federal prosecutors in Virginia released details of the dogfighting charges against Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, all hell broke loose.

Martin suggests the Vick case revealed the public and media care more about celebrity and animals than people.

Folks were protesting, calling for him to be immediately kicked out of the league, and demanding long jail sentences for Vick and his co-defendants.

Many lawyers went on television and admitted that had Vick beat a girlfriend, shot or even murdered someone, he wouldn't have been slammed as hard as he was for the vicious acts committed against dogs.

I suppose those lawyers are right.

Just look at the case of Megan Williams. The 20-year-old West Virginia woman, Megan Williams, was kidnapped by six sadistic individuals and held in a mobile home.

They raped her, forced her to eat rat and dog feces, made her drink from a toilet, stabbed her multiple times, and called the black woman a "nigger" every time they beat her.

Thank God she lived, and may be released from the hospital in a few days. Watch the alleged victim's mother talk about hearing the news »

But it still raises the question: What causes such outrage and fervor in one case involving dogs and not another?

The same thing was said about the shocking details surrounding the deaths of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom. The two University of Tennessee students were on a date when they were carjacked by several men. They were taken to a house where they were held. Christopher was raped, doused with gasoline, shot and his body dumped on the side of a road.

Channon? She had a household cleaner poured down her throat and was later raped. She, too, was murdered.

Although the two were white and their alleged attackers black, police say race was not an element in this case.

These two cases are heinous and despicable. But why do we respond with speed to one case and not another? Is it celebrity? Or do we not have the same compassion for human beings as we do for dogs? Was the Vick case that more important?

Take, for example, the U.S. Senate floor speech of Robert Byrd, the senior senator from West Virginia.

Calling the allegations sadistic, Byrd thundered: "Barbaric! Let that word resound from hill to hill, and from mountain to mountain, from valley to valley, across this broad land. Barbaric! Barbaric! May God help those poor souls who'd be so cruel. Barbaric! Hear me! Barbaric!"

He later added: "I am confident the hottest places in hell are reserved for the souls of sick and brutal people who hold God's creatures in such brutal and cruel contempt."

So, Sen. Byrd, where is the floor speech for a woman from your own home state? Where is the outrage when a woman is viciously attacked?

This is when the media gets slammed. We've determined that Vick, Paris Hilton and the shenanigans of Lindsey Lohan are far more important than the viciousness of what took place in West Virginia and Tennessee.

But maybe the problem isn't just the media. Maybe the problem is you. The reader. The viewer. Maybe you've decided that you care more about discussing a celebrity than nobodies like Megan Williams, Channon Christian or Christopher Newsom.


Roland S. Martin is a nationally award-winning, multifaceted journalist and CNN contributor. He is the author of "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith." You can read more of his columns at http://www.rolandsmartin.com/



The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer.



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olympic PostPosted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:51 pm

where is the outrage is right......there is one without a doubt, just not being lauded.....it is much more important to drive britney to the edge, as opposed to worrying about some unknown victim.....where is everyone, where are the animal activists? ...........never mind them, what am i doing about it?.....do your part, sending an email is quicker than reading a page of britney faux pas at the awards.



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Katie PostPosted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 2:08 pm

Excellent article Fash thanks!!!



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Fashionista PostPosted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:33 pm

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wvgirl PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:16 am

Continuing Coverage: Tortured Woman Found in Southern WV
Posted: 11:41 AM Sep 11, 2007
Last Updated: 10:55 AM Sep 13, 2007
Reporter: WSAZ NewsChannel 3

THURSDAY COVERAGE
Logan County Prosecutor Brian Abraham says that preliminary hearings for the six suspects- set for early next week- could be pushed back. That's because he believes the appointed attorney's might have conflict of interests with the clients. It likely comes as no sup rise. Since 1991 the six suspects have a total of 108 charges against them.

Abraham says that he will meet with the Logan County Sheriff today at the earliest to amend the complaints in this case. He says that they are still actively interviewing suspects
(snip)
_____________________________________________________________

I don't know if this should be classified as a 'hate crime' or not. There sure seems to be a lot of hate involved, but I know that is not what is needed in order for it to be a federal case. However, I thought kidnapping was a federal crime in and of itself. I do believe those involved are very sick individuals. It amazes me that between the six of them there are 108 previous charges in the past 16 years.

I've never been to or even through this part of the state, so I don't really know anything about the local areas. I have read some of the comments listed on this site, which is the closest statewide newsagency (wsaz). Seems to be some posting that know the familys involved.

These are a couple of comments (true or not) had stuff in them that I hadn't heard on the local news

Posted by: Destiny It makes no difference whether she knew these people or not. This girl was mentally challenged, yet she finished high school and was an adult. Her mother didn't have to keep up with her despite her defiencies. If you really want to know how horrific this crime was, read the CHARGING documents at thesmokinggun.com. In fact, here is a link: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0911071logansix1.html. So what if she went there on her own? So what if she knew them! Nobody's child should be treated this way, black or white and the state prosecutor should pursue this as a hate crime. And I agree with the poster who wrote about the Jena 6 being slapped with million dollar bails for a "schoolyard" fight; yet these people who could face LIFE in prison for raping this girl and torturing her get bail? They should have been held WITHOUT bond. If you W.Virginians are truly "stunned" you should write your state prosecutor and make sure he does the right thing. Thats my 2 cents.

Posted by: Concerned This is a very touchy situation. With the release of the latest information that she had a previous relationship with the one abuser and the fact that there was an order in effect that they were not to be around each other, there can actually be charges brought against her and him. This is a sad situation. She will be scarred for life, as if she wasnt already, seems that people that are abused will return to their abuser approx. 7 times before they actually break free and dont return. I didnt really think about that when it was first said, but the more you see on the news the more true it seems to be. Just like addictions, abused individuals have to break free from the routine they are in. Some stay because they know what to expect from the abuser where as if they turn to someone new they dont know what to expect but they do expect that everyone is abusive. I will keep this family in my prayers.


I will continue to pray for Megan and her family. In my mind, there is absolutely no excuse for those involved in abusing her.



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wvgirl PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:30 am

There is also a video interview of the mom while she's sitting next to Megan at the hospital. I do not know how to bring it over.



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Katie PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:48 am

wvgirl wrote:
There is also a video interview of the mom while she's sitting next to Megan at the hospital. I do not know how to bring it over.

I saw that video, her Mom came across very loving and gracious.



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Katie PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:53 am

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/9712762.html
The video



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wvgirl PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 7:56 pm

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/2007091212

No hate charges in torture case

Victim went to rural mobile home ‘of her own free will,’ prosecutor says



By Gary Harki
Staff writer

Click here for AP video about plans to prosecute the suspects.

Federal hate crime charges will not be filed against the six people who are accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and torturing Megan Williams, but more state charges are expected, law enforcement officials say.

The picture slowly being revealed is one of a woman abused not necessarily because of her race, but because of her relationship with one of her alleged attackers — 24-year-old Bobby Brewster.

- advertisement -
Megan Williams, 20, was in Logan County of her own free will, Logan County Prosecuting Attorney Brian Abraham said Wednesday.

Williams was in Ohio when she decided to come to Logan County to meet a man she met through a phone dating service, according to multiple law enforcement sources, all of whom did not wish to be named.

Once in Logan County, Williams met Bobby Brewster, who apparently was not the man she met through the phone dating service, according to the law enforcement sources.

On July 18, Bobby Ray Brewster was charged with domestic battery and domestic assault for allegedly striking and verbally threatening Williams at the mobile home where she was eventually tortured, according to a criminal complaint filed in Logan Magistrate Court by State Police Troopers B.K. Wellman and J.E. Williams.

“We believe she came to Logan County ... of her own volition and had been frequenting Logan County prior to the domestic battery charge,” Abraham said. He would not confirm or deny that Brewster and Williams had a relationship.

When the troopers arrived at the house to respond to a domestic violence call, Brewster said he had not seen Williams for a few days, the complaint says. But the troopers found Williams behind the trailer.

“[Williams] stated that she was hiding from the accused and his mother and that the assault and battery had just taken place prior to [our] arrival,” the troopers wrote in the July complaint.

On Tuesday, Krysti Sumpter, the Brewsters’ neighbor, told the Gazette that Williams asked her for help after she said she was threatened with a gun at the trailer. Sumpter said she took her to the State Police detachment in Logan, but believes she saw Williams back at the mobile home a few days later.

“She was obviously back there because that is where she was discovered,” Abraham said Wednesday. “At this time we have no information that she was abducted or taken there against her will.

(Page 2 of 3)

“It is my understanding that at least originally she was here of her own free will and that changed based upon the facts in the complaint,” he said.

Police found Williams at the trailer Saturday. She had been beaten, tortured, raped, choked and forced to eat rat and dog feces, among other acts, according to criminal complaints filed in the case.

Besides Brewster, the others charged in the case are his mother, Frankie Lee Brewster, 49; Danny J. Combs, 20; George A. Messer, 27; Karen Burton, 46; and her daughter, Alisha Burton, 23

- advertisement -
Four months ago, Brewster allegedly attacked his mother at her home with a machete, court records indicate. He was charged with domestic assault, brandishing a deadly weapon and obstructing an officer.

Overall, the six defendants have been charged 108 times by police for various offenses since 1991. Frankie Brewster shot and killed the elderly mother of the man she was living with in 1996, and Bobby Brewster shot and killed that man, his father, in 1998.

Media reports that Williams met someone on the Internet who brought her to Logan County are incorrect, Abraham said.

No federal civil rights charges have been filed because there is no specific federal statute for such a crime, said Charles Miller, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia.

“The best case is that the state goes forward with its prosecutions,” Miller said. “I don’t want to say unequivocally that the federal government will not step in if evidence comes to light. But at this particular time we have decided to let the state go forward with their charges.”

The kidnapping charges could result in a sentence of life in prison, Miller said.

“There is no federal statute that says if you hurt someone solely because of race that it is a violation of federal law,” he said.

Crimes committed to prevent people from going to a certain church, or from living in a certain area because of their race or religion would be civil rights violations, he said. But the allegations thus far in the Williams case do not reach into the area of civil rights.

“The allegations in the criminal complaints are horrific and all have serious penalties,” Miller said. “We have said to the county prosecutor that our job is to assist in any way we can.”

(Page 3 of 3)

Bishop Richard Cox of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference said the crimes could still be racially motivated, even if there was a relationship between Williams and Bobby Brewster.

“We still want something done about it because it still is racially motivated not only by what they did to her but what they said to her while they did it. They called her a nigger and brutally stabbed her in the leg,” said Cox, assistant to national SCLC Board Chairman Rev. Raleigh Trammell.

Cox plans to be in West Virginia by Friday and wants to meet with the Williams family and law enforcement officials.

- advertisement -
“We are just outraged that it happened and we wanted to be able to motivate the community,” he said. “We want to see that the persons who committed those crimes against her are prosecuted.”

More charges are expected against the defendants, Abraham said. The sheriff’s department and Abraham’s office are going over the crimes to determine more specifically what needs to be done, he said.

The FBI will continue to assist in the case, said Special Agent Bill Crowley of the Pittsburgh division.

Police continue to look for two more people in the case, said Logan County Chief Deputy V.K. Dingess.

“We have some names. We don’t have a location on them,” he said. The two people are believed to have brought Williams to the Brewster mobile home, he said.

“Additional suspects may be charged with peripheral crimes,” Abraham said. “We believe we have the six primary actors in custody.”

Megan Williams is doing better day by day, said her mother Carmen Williams. Megan was sitting up and talking more, she said early Wednesday.

A victim’s advocate spoke to the Williams family Wednesday morning, Abraham said.

The Associated Press and staff writer Andrew Clevenger contributed to this story. To contact staff writer Gary A. Harki, use e-mail or call 348-5163.

Click here for AP video about plans to prosecute the suspects.



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victims cry PostPosted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:53 pm

This is one of the most disgusting cases to come to light lately, and worse the media treated it as a 30 second soundbyte. Even the "best of victims advocates" NG Rolling Eyes did almost nothing on it.

I do see hate crime elements in it, unfortunately. The history of thinking of black ppl as less is ingrained in some. Fuck them, have babies, use them. But not people (rather like in the 1800s)

I also see why they are not using the hate crime statue and im glad. These animals need to be convicted on the pure disgusting hell they put this poor woman through. 		On Vacation!
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wvgirl PostPosted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:33 pm

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/9712762.html

FRIDAY COVERAGE
Two Logan County Magistrates will no longer work on the Megan Williams torture case.

An attorney for one of the six defendents filed a motion asking the magistrates to step-down because they made comments about the case to the local media.

That prompted Leonard Codispoti to recuse himself from the case. Magistragte Dwight Williamson responded by saying he could be impartial, but a Logan County Judge said he must be removed.

Magistrate Jeffrey Lane will now handle the cases against the six suspects. If more help is needed it can be brought in by a neighboring county.

Meanwhile, community activists in Logan have planned a rally for Saturday. The NAACP is hosting the event at the St. Phillips Baptist Church at 10am. The Church is in Cora. Members of the Logan County Improvement League will also be on hand. Reggie Jones with the league says he wants to work with the NAACP to show all of Logan County that racism will not be tolerated



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wvgirl PostPosted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:37 pm

Residents say race long-standing problem

The Associated Press


Friday September 14, 2007
LOGAN -- Some residents say the news of a black woman's brutal weeklong ordeal at the hands of white captors was shocking -- but came as no surprise.

About 20 locals, mostly blacks, gathered at the library here Thursday to comfort one another while recalling their own experiences with discrimination, at times through tears and shaking voices.

They vowed to find a way to help Megan Williams, the 20-year-old Charleston woman who was held captive for more than a week at a ramshackle trailer in Logan County, where authorities say she was tortured, sexually assaulted and forced to eat animal droppings.

"I truly think that Logan County has a long-standing, pervasive problem with race in our community,'' said Reggie Jones, a board member of the Logan County Improvement League.

Jones, who is black, said he has been racially profiled before and distrusts local authorities.

The meeting was held by members of Jones' group and New Empowerment for Women Plus, both of which help women, minorities and low-income people.

"Racism, sexism and classism are so prevalent here,'' said Joan Hairston, area director for New Empowerment for Women Plus. "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore.''

Jones and others said they would support hate crime charges in the case.

Several black churches called upon prosecutors Thursday to reconsider their decision not to pursue civil rights violations in the Williams case.

At a news conference at Charleston Area Medical Center General Hospital, the Rev. Emanuel Heyliger of the Ferguson Memorial Baptist Church in Dunbar called Williams' ordeal "barbaric, heinous, despicable.''

Williams did not attend the news conference. Her parents did, but declined to comment on the investigation.

The Associated Press generally does not identify suspected victims of sexual assault, Williams and her mother, Carmen, agreed to release her name. Carmen Williams said she wanted people to know what her daughter had endured.

Authorities said Williams knew one of her alleged attackers, which played a role in their decision not to pursue civil rights violations at this time. A criminal complaint filed in July accused one suspect of hitting her.

"Whether she was known by or known to any one of these perpetrators, that is no reason why this case should not be treated as it should, and that is as a hate crime,'' said Heyliger.

Earlier in the day, an official with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference also criticized the decision.

"How can you not charge them with a hate crime and pursue it when it appears to be racially motivated?'' asked Bishop Richard Cox, an official with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. "Every black preacher in that city and every concerned, fair-minded white person in that city ought to get together. We need to march and protest.''

The NAACP said in a news release that it was monitoring the case, while the group's local chapter plans to hold a rally in Cora on Saturday.

Logan County Prosecutor Brian Abraham urged patience.

"We're still working the case even today,'' he said. "I'll make that determination when the investigation is concluded, but I want to focus on the most serious crimes that carry the stiffest penalties.''

U.S. Attorney Charles T. Miller said he anticipated criticism over the decision.

"Most people, when they see the allegations in this particular case, think, 'Well that's obviously a hate crime. Where are the feds?''' Miller said. "It's very difficult to explain to the general public the nuances of statutes like the civil rights statutes.''

Ivin Lee, executive director of the West Virginia Human Rights Commission, also asked for patience at the Logan meeting.

"It's going to take time to gather the evidence. There's a lot of great organizations in this community and my organization stands with you,'' Lee said.

The federal code commonly used in hate crimes prosecutions prohibits the use of force or the threat of force in abridging the civil rights of an individual. Those specified rights include voting, enrollment in school, travel between states and the use of establishments serving the public like restaurants.

"There is no federal statute that makes it a crime to hate someone,'' Miller said. "Nor is there a federal statute that criminalizes conduct that doesn't relate to one of those federally protected activities.''

Miller said other state charges filed in the case carry the stiffest penalties possible.

Kidnapping carries a possible life sentence in West Virginia. Sexual assault is a crime punishable by up to 35 years in prison. West Virginia's hate crime statute carries a penalty of up to 10 years.

Bobby Brewster, 24, and his mother, Frankie Brewster, 49, are charged with kidnapping and sexual assault, among other counts.

Danny J. Combs, 20, of Harts, is charged with sexual assault and malicious wounding; Karen Burton, 46, of Chapmanville, is charged with malicious wounding, battery and assault during the commission of a felony; and Burton's daughter, Alisha Burton, 23, and George A. Messer, 27, both of Chapmanville, are charged with assault during the commission of a felony and battery.

The most serious charge facing the Burtons and Messer is assault during the commission of a felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

All six remained in custody Thursday in lieu of $100,000 cash bail each.

Their defense attorneys either declined to comment or could not be reached on Thursday.

Williams' mother said her daughter is expected to remain in the hospital for a few more days.

"Mentally, she still wakes up at night crying and making sure I'm near her,'' Carmen Williams said. "She still hollers, 'Ma, what they did to me was bad.' So the only thing I can do, me and her dad, is just be there for her, to comfort her. We can do nothing more.''



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wvgirl PostPosted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:48 pm

Why the Feds Won't Prosecute West Virginia Torture Case as a Hate Crime
Posted September 14, 2007 | 10:20 AM (EST)

The Reverend Emanuel Heyliger, pastor of the Ferguson Memorial Baptist Church in Dunbar, West Virginia was livid when he got word that federal prosecutors won't prosecute the attack on Megan Williams as a hate crime. It seemed that if ever there was a case that screamed for the feds to jump in and charge the six crime prone, apparently hate spewing whites that assailed the young black woman with a hate crime, this was the case. The heinous facts seemed beyond dispute. The bunch allegedly kidnapped, tortured, raped and harangued her with racial epithets.

But Heyliger in his understandable anger missed one thing. The feds will do anything and everything possible to stay out of state criminal cases, especially cases that are racial tinged. There are two reasons for their keeping hands off. Federal prosecutors are loath to step on the toes of police and prosecutors in criminal cases, no matter how badly the crime is tainted by race. Federal prosecutors flatly said that William's assailants are more likely to be convicted and get stiff sentences in state court. That makes perfectly good legal and political sense.

The other reason for their non-involvement is much more troubling. Federal prosecutors have rarely placed much stock on bringing criminal civil rights cases. They see them as no-win cases with little political gain, and the risk of making enemies of local police, DAs, and state officials. The rare time that the feds cracked down on civil rights violence was during the 1960s civil rights battles. The wave of violence then stirred national and international revulsion and forced then President Lyndon Johnson to order more civil rights prosecutions.

Though federal prosecutors in recent times have had more than sufficient legal ground to bring cases in the old race murders from the 1960s, the prosecutions have been almost exclusively in state courts. The only exceptions to the set in stone rule that prosecutors stay out of state cases occurs when a hate crime triggers a major riot, generates mass protests or attracts major press attention. The Rodney King beating case in Los Angles in 1992 is still the best example of how it took a mass civil upheaval to move the feds to go full blast after a conviction of the police that beat King, and then only after a failed prosecution in state court. The King case is also an example of how criminal cases with clear civil rights abuses become highly politicized and racially divisive.

The Williams case is a near textbook example of how prosecutors deal with crimes, even possibly racially motivated crimes. They may be horrific, but they are seen as common crimes and are treated as such. Few state prosecutor will chance inflaming racial passions and hatreds by slapping a hate crime tag on a case.

There's also the belief that hate crimes are mostly a thing of the past. When they do occur, they are isolated acts committed by a handful of quacks, and unreconstructed bigots, and that state authorities vigorously report and prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes.

When Congress passed the Hate Crimes Statistics Act of 1990, it compelled the FBI to collect figures on hate violence. However, it did not compel police agencies to report them. Record keeping on hate crimes is still left up to the discretion of local police chiefs and city officials. Many police departments still refuse to report hate crimes, or to label crimes in which gays, and minorities are targeted because of race or sexual preference as hate crimes. Still other police departments don't bother compiling them because they regard hate crimes as a politically loaded minefield that can tarnish their image and create even more racial friction. The official indifference by many police agencies to hate crimes prevents federal officials, even if they wanted to more aggressively enforce civil rights laws, from accurately gauging the magnitude of civil rights violence.

The picture of how much hate violence there actually is in the country and even what constitutes hate violence is even more blurred by confusion and uncertainty over what makes a crime a hate crime. Simply pillorying someone with racial epithets while committing a physical assault may not pass the legal muster of what is a hate crime. The crucial element is whether the racial epithets shouted out were incidental to the attack or were they the precipitating factor in the attack? It's the finest of fine legal hair splitting. But ultimately that's what prosecutors rightly or wrong look at in deciding whether they have any chance to get convictions in crimes where race is involved.

The black ministers in West Virginia are dumbfounded at the apparent refusal of federal prosecutors to recognize what they see as a cut and dried case of white bigots brutalizing an innocent young black woman. That's probably exactly what happened. Yet when prosecutors try to sort out whether a crime is a hate motivated crime or just plain crime it's anything but cut and dried.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His new book The Latino Challenge to Black America: Towards a Conversation between African-Americans and Hispanics (Middle Passage Press and Hispanic Economics New York) in English and Spanish will be out in October.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/earl-ofari-hutchinson/why-the-feds-wont-prosec_b_64414.html?view=print



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wvgirl PostPosted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 6:43 pm

SATURDAY COVERAGE

Black ministers and civil rights leaders today urged patience for the legal process and prayer for the physical and mental health of a black woman who was allegedly tortured for about a week.

Leaders from the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and
local groups met at a church in the Logan County community of Cora.

Most of the public's questions centered on the racial aspect of
the case. According to a criminal complaint, Megan Williams was
called a racial slur while she was being abused by at least one of
the six white suspects.

Logan County Prosecutor Brian Abraham has said a hate crime
charge remains an option, but he wants to first pursue charges that
carry stiffer penalties.

State NAACP Director Kenneth Hale asked the black community not
to arbitrarily demand the hate crime charge until the investigation
is complete. But some in the church audience questioned that call.

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/9712762.html



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Schmerty PostPosted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 7:03 pm

I know horrific crimes occur by humans to humans in countries all aver the world & thru many centuries.THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,THE 21stCENTURY & I HAVE TO LIVE HERE! barf barf

God please help us all! We are worse than the animals!!! I can't keep breathing, I can't take this! GOD HELP US! 		Skipping along my own path.



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pax PostPosted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:58 pm

This crime is so repulsive to me that it's been difficult to post on this thread. I trust those criminals will receive justice.

I hope Megan Williams will recover fully and will be surrounded by loving people.



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wvgirl PostPosted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:43 pm

September 16, 2007
NAACP supports prosecutors on ‘hate’ decision
By James I. Davison
Staff writer

CORA — Local, state and national NAACP and church leaders told people in a crowded Logan County church Saturday that prosecutors’ initial decision to not file hate-crime charges in the rape and torture case of Megan Williams seems to be for the best.

At St. Phillip Baptist Church, just a few miles west of Logan, the NAACP, Southern Christian Leadership Conference and church leaders described what they learned from a lengthy Friday meeting with Logan County prosecutor Brian Abraham.

Abraham has said a hate-crime charge is still an option, but he wants to first pursue charges with stiffer penalties. Federal prosecutors said last week that federal hate-crime charges would not be filed, but that could change as the investigation continues.

The Rev. Gill Ford, a national NAACP representative, said the prosecuting attorney has been forthcoming and willing to meet with the NAACP. Friday’s meeting lasted for at least three hours.

“We’re not dealing with a prosecutor who is saying, ‘We ain’t talking to nobody,’” he said, adding that Abraham is handling the case well.

A hate crime falls under a specific set of circumstances, which doesn’t appear to match this case, he said.

“I’m very sensitive to hate crimes and the question is, ‘When you look at West Virginia law, can you make the case?’” Ford said. “The burden on the prosecutor to make this a hate crime ... is something they have to take into consideration.”

Responding to questions from the crowd of about 100 people, Ford said they don’t have to condone what happened, but they can at least know that it has been handled in the best possible way.

He said prosecutors are giving every consideration to Williams, who police say endured more than a week of abuse, torture and rape at the hands of six white people.

Police found Williams last weekend at the trailer of Frankie Brewster, 49, and her son Bobby Brewster, 24. The others charged in the case are Danny J. Combs, 20; George A. Messer, 27; Karen Burton, 46; and her daughter, Alisha Burton, 23.

Leaders said everyone’s first concern should be for the health and well-being of Williams, and encouraged the community to pray and care for her as time passes.

“We do have the responsibility to stay in it for the long haul,” Ford said.

Church leaders said they are working on creating a bank fund for donations.

Not everyone in the crowd was convinced by the message that hate-crime charges don’t fit.

One member of the crowd, Kenny Bass, asked why they couldn’t also charge the alleged perpetrators with a hate crime.

“If it’s racism, it’s racism,” he said. “We all know what racism is. We’ve all experienced it around here.”

Tacking on a hate-crime charge, which carries a penalty of 10 years imprisonment, could weaken the case, the NAACP leaders said.

“This is a crime that went beyond prejudice,” said the Rev. Audie Murphy Sr., president of the Logan County branch of the NAACP.

“We know that it’s hate, but we have to let the prosecutor do the prosecutor’s job.”

The Rev. Michael Pollard, of Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Madison, warned not to let a hateful act result in more hatred in other people.

“My prayer is that these individuals will be convicted to the highest standard of the law,” he said.

A white audience member, Karen Watson of Hurricane, said even if the alleged crime is not prosecuted as a hate crime, acts of racism should still be recognized so they can be stopped.

“If it’s a racist act, call it a racist act,” she said.

Ford warned that people have to be careful when accusing someone of racism. Gathering accurate information and becoming educated is important to ensure that such a claim can be backed up, he said. “We have to make sure folks are going to be responsible when they make the charge of racism,” he said.

To contact staff writer James I. Davison, use e-mail or call 348-5119.

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/2007091541



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wvgirl PostPosted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:14 pm

Suspects in W.Va. torture set for court By TOM BREEN, Associated Press Writer2 hours, 52 minutes ago


Six white people accused of holding a black woman captive while they tortured and sexually assaulted her are scheduled to make their initial court appearances this week.

But the proceedings may be delayed because public defenders representing two of the defendants have recused themselves, Logan County Prosecutor Brian Abraham said.

The six defendants are charged with assaulting Megan Williams, 20, for more than a week at a ramshackle trailer in Big Creek. Police say she was tortured, sexually assaulted, forced to eat animal droppings and taunted with a racial slur.

Bobby Brewster, George Messer, Alisha Burton and Karen Burton are scheduled to appear Monday in Logan County Magistrate Court. Frankie Brewster and Danny Combs are scheduled for to appear on Tuesday.

Public defenders representing Bobby Brewster and Messer have recused themselves because they had represented some of the defendants in the past.

A public defender can't represent a defendant in this case if they have represented any of the other defendants in past cases, Logan County Magistrate Court Clerk Deeanna Briggs said.

Since 1991, police have filed 108 criminal charges against the six.

Jack Rogers, executive director of the state's public defender services, said other lawyers could be hired on short-term contracts, or attorneys could be brought in from neighboring counties.

Frankie Brewster, 49, and her son, Bobby Brewster, 24, are both charged with kidnapping and sexual assault, among other counts.

Combs, 20, of Harts, is charged with sexual assault and malicious wounding; Karen Burton, 46, of Chapmanville, is charged with malicious wounding, battery and assault during the commission of a felony; and Burton's daughter, Alisha Burton, 23, and Messer, 27, both of Chapmanville, are charged with assault during the commission of a felony and battery.

All six remain in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail each.

Betty Gregory, lawyer for Karen Burton, said Friday she intends to ask for a bond reduction for her client because the $100,000 cash bond is "grossly inappropriate."

The other lawyers representing the defendants did not immediately return telephone calls Sunday.

Because Williams is black and the defendants are white, some — including church groups close to the Williams family — want hate crimes charges filed, either at the state or federal level.

U.S. Attorney Charles T. Miller has said he doesn't currently plan to file civil rights charges, while Abraham said he may file new or amended charges in the days to come.



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wvgirl PostPosted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:51 pm

MONDAY COVERAGE
From the Associated Press:

LOGAN, W.Va. (AP) - Additional kidnapping and sexual assault charges are expected to be filed against some of the six people accused in the weeklong torture of a woman in Logan County.

Prosecutor Brian Abraham declined to elaborate on the new charges, except to say they would be filed either Monday or Tuesday.

Four of the defendants were expected to have magistrate court appearances Monday, but only one hearing actually took place. Abraham says the other hearings were pushed back because of questions over which magistrate will hear the cases.

Bobby Brewster appeared in court Monday afternoon. He didn't request a new magistrate, but the judge ruled Brewster will be held without bond.

Abraham says some of the six defendants have also secured new defense attorneys. Those lawyers were meeting with their clients Monday afternoon to make sure there are no conflicts of interest.

The hearings for Frankie Brewster and Danny Combs are still set for Tuesday. Alisha Burton, George Messer, and Karen Burton could also be in court Tuesday.

The victim in the case, 20-year-old Megan Williams of Charleston, was allegedly forced to eat animal droppings and drink from the toilet of a home in Big Creek.

Williams' ordeal ended when an anonymous tip led to her September 8th discovery by Logan County sheriff's deputies.

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/9712762.html



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wvgirl PostPosted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:59 pm

TUESDAY EVENING COVERAGE
All six of the defendants in the Logan County tourture case now face kidnapping charges. It's a charge that could land them in prison for life.

Originally, Frankie and Bobby Brewster were the only two facing kidnapping charges.

In court Tuesday Frankie Brewster learned that she now faces a first degree sexual assault charge rather than the orginial charge of second degree sexual assault. The change means if she's convicted she could face more jail time. Also Tuesday the magistrate went ahead with her preliminary hearing. The magistrate ruled there was enough evidence to send her case to the grand jury. The criminal complaint states that Brewster admitted to the crimes it lists.

Also in court Tuesday was Danny Combs. Karen and Alisha Burton, along with George Messer were arraigned via video. Karen Burton had a lot to say during her arraignement. Things like "You aren't going to get me on that." Her daughter Alisha cried the entire time. Danny Combs, George Messer and Frankie Brewster were very quiet. Only talking to their lawyers or the magistrate.

Bobby Brewster was not in court Tuesday because his charges were not changed.

Tuesday's court proceedings revealed that Megan Williams went to Logan County willingly on August 2nd. It's the same day Bobby Brewster got out of jail on other charges. At some point- before her rescue on September 8th- investigators say the six held Williams against her will. During that time it's alleged that Williams went without food or water for four days.

Police say the victim was being held in the shed behind Frankie Brewster's trailer. The back door to the trailer was padlocked. Frankie Brewster allegedly sat on the front porch- even slept there to make sure Megan couldn't get in. Police say the suspects made threats that they would kill Williams if she tried to leave.

New criminal complaints reveal that Williams was hit with a fly swatter and a wooden stick. She was allegedly choked with a phone cord. Hot water and hot wax was poured on her. The complaints also allege she was also forced to bathe in a trash can in the back yard. She also told police that she was beaten while she was sexually assaulted.

TUESDAY MORNING COVERAGE

One of the six suspects charged with torturing a 20-year-old Charleston woman in Logan County was back in court Tuesday.

During a hearing, Tuesday morning, the Prosecutor dropped the charges against Frankie Brewster and then re-filed them. Brewster is now charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, and several misdemeanors including, battery and lying to investigators.

During her preliminary hearing, A magistrate found probable cause and sent Brewster's case to the Grand Jury.

Danny Combs, another suspect charged in the case, is also expected in court Tuesday.

The victim in the case, 20-year-old Megan Williams of Charleston, was allegedly forced to eat animal droppings and drink from the toilet of a home in Big Creek.

Williams' ordeal ended when an anonymous tip led to her September 8th discovery by Logan County sheriff's deputies.

ALSO Tuesday, Williams turned herself into to a magistrate in Kanawha County. Warrants were out for her arrest in Summers, Raleigh, and Greenbrier counties on worthless check charges. She was released on $8,000 bond.

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/9712762.html



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pax PostPosted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:32 pm

How is Megan Williams doing?

She's in my thoughts.



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wvgirl PostPosted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:47 am

September 19, 2007
Charges added in torture-rape
Charges upgraded for 5 of 6 suspects


By Andrew Clevenger
Staff writer

LOGAN — Prosecutors upgraded charges on Tuesday against five of the six suspects accused of torturing and sexually abusing a 20-year-old Charleston woman in Logan County.

Each of the six defendants now faces accusations of first-degree sexual assault and kidnapping, which carry maximum terms of 35 years and life in prison, respectively, among other charges.

Logan County prosecutor Brian Abraham dismissed the previous charges against five suspects, and immediately filed new criminal complaints against each suspect.

The charges against Bobby Ray Brewster, 24, which also include malicious wounding and assault during the commission of a felony, remained unchanged.

Initially, only Brewster and his mother, 49-year-old Frankie Lee Brewster, were accused of kidnapping Megan Williams. Williams told authorities she was sexually assaulted, stabbed, choked and beaten during the time she was involuntarily held at the Brewster’s Big Creek home.

Frankie Brewster now stands accused of kidnapping, first-degree sexual assault, three counts of battery and giving false information to authorities during a felony investigation. Karen Burton, 46, also faces malicious wounding assault during the commission of a felony and 13 counts of battery, while her 22-year-old daughter Alisha Burton’s charges include malicious wounding and 11 counts of battery.

Danny Jay Combs, 20, now stands accused of three counts of first-degree sexual assault, kidnapping and malicious wounding. George Allen Messer, 27, is also charged with six counts of battery.

At Frankie Brewster’s preliminary hearing on Tuesday, Logan County Sheriff’s Deputy J.S. Robinette said investigators now believe Williams was at the remote trailer from Aug. 2 until Sept. 8. After receiving an anonymous tip that a woman was being held at the trailer, Robinette discovered a bruised and battered Williams with a stab wound in her upper leg when she emerged from the trailer, saying “Help me,” he said.

Aug. 2, Robinette said, is when Bobby Brewster was released from jail after his July 18 arrest on domestic battery charges in which Williams was the alleged victim.

Williams went to the trailer of her own free will, he said, but eventually she spent days locked in an outbuilding next to the trailer.

According to a statement Williams gave deputies from her hospital bed, her alleged captors threatened to beat her and set the shed on fire with her in it if she tried to leave, Robinette said.

Deputy R.M. Goodman testified that he drove Frankie Brewster to the courthouse, where he took a written statement from her after informing her of her rights.

In that statement, she said she had seen Combs sexually assault Williams in the bathroom while holding a knife to her throat.

He then pointed the knife at Brewster, said it was none of her business, and told her “to get gone or he was going to kill me,” Goodman read from the statement.

Williams’ parents and sister attended the hearing. During Goodman’s testimony, Carmen Williams, the victim’s mother, became visibly upset and left the courtroom.

As he was guiding Brewster into magistrate court to be arraigned, she said she wanted to come clean, and gave another statement detailing her involvement, Goodman said.

“Bobby said he would put a bag over her head and hang her from a tree if she tried to leave,” Goodman said, his voice faltering as he read from Brewster’s statement.

Logan County Magistrate Jeffrey Lane found there was probable cause to support the felony charges against Frankie Brewster, and bound the matter over to the grand jury.

When Lane arraigned Combs, both Burtons and Messer on the new charges, each of them requested a preliminary hearing in magistrate court. The Burtons and Messer were arraigned by video from the Southwestern Regional Jail. The preliminary hearings have not yet been scheduled, and it may be some time before they happen because several defendants have asked two of the county’s three magistrates to be recused because of comments attributed to them in the Logan Banner newspaper.

Informed of the new kidnapping charge against her, Karen Burton sounded defiant. “You ain’t getting me for no kidnapping,” she said.

In response to the sexual assault charge, Burton snapped, “Oh, hell no,” before her attorney, Betty Gregory, reminded her not to say anything.

Alisha Burton sobbed as Lane read the new charges to her. Combs and Messer remained impassive, giving simple yes and no answers to the magistrate’s questions.

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/2007091823?pt=10



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wvgirl PostPosted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:54 am

pax wrote:
How is Megan Williams doing?

She's in my thoughts.


I don't know how she's doing emotionally, pax, but here's a pic and article from yesterday.


Torture-case victim Megan Williams was in Kanawha County Magistrate Court Tuesday to be arraigned for bad check charges in Raleigh, Greenbrier and Summers counties. Williams was arraigned on all charges by Magistrate Ward Harshbarger, then released on $8,000 bond.


September 19, 2007
Torture-rape victim faces bad-check counts

Checks written in 3 counties, police say


By Gary Harki
Staff writer

After Megan Williams’ mother, Carmen, sat in a Logan County courtroom to watch the court proceedings of her daughter’s alleged attackers on Tuesday, she brought Megan Williams into Kanawha County Magistrate Court to be arraigned.

Megan Williams is charged with offenses in Summers, Raleigh and Greenbrier counties. There are 11 misdemeanor counts of writing worthless checks, one misdemeanor count of obtaining under false pretenses and one felony count of failure to appear in circuit court in Summers County, according to documents provided by Kanawha County Magistrate Ward Harshbarger.

Megan Williams walked into the Kanawha County Courthouse Judicial Annex Tuesday afternoon with her hair still short and patchy from where it had been pulled out in places. Her arm was still in a cast and she wore a T-shirt that read, “It’s a girl’s place.” Her leg was still bandaged and she walked with a limp.

Megan Williams was found at the trailer of Frankie Brewster, 49, and her son, Bobby Brewster, 24, on Sept. 8. Williams had been beaten, tortured, raped, choked and forced to eat rat and dog feces, among other acts, according to criminal complaints filed in the case.

The others charged in the case are Danny J. Combs, 20; George A. Messer, 27; Karen Burton, 46; and her daughter, Alisha Burton, 23.

“They ... won’t give you no peace,” Carmen Williams said as she led her daughter past reporters and cameras in the judicial annex. She made a rude gesture to the cameras and later threatened to strike reporters. “I wish you all would go.”

Megan Williams appeared briefly before Harshbarger before he made the decision to put her in a holding cell because of the number of reporters and family members in the courtroom.

“I wanna go home,” Megan said, clutching her mother.

Once in the holding cell, Megan Williams began to scream and cry for her mother, who was not with her.

Carmen Williams rushed to her side, “Here I am,” she said. “You better hush, Megan.”

After Harshbarger readied the paperwork, Megan Williams was brought back into the courtroom clutching a black and red teddy bear that at times she used to shield her face from the cameras.

She nodded to the magistrate as he asked her if she understood the charges and had her sign paperwork. She looked over at a camera to her left and stuck her tongue out. She stood on her toes shaking to look over the high desk of the magistrate and to sign papers.

Megan Williams is charged with obtaining under false pretenses and writing a worthless check in Raleigh County, according to the Raleigh County warrant. The false check charge is for a $32.21 check to Dominos Pizza. The false pretenses charge is for $96.40 to the Kiddie Junction Consignment Shop in Beaver.

In Greenbrier County, Williams is wanted for eight worthless checks, according to the warrant for her arrest filed in Greenbrier County. One of the checks was for $173.79 to BSR Auto Supply.

She was wanted for two counts of worthless checks in Summers County, according to the warrant for her arrest filed in Summers County. One of the checks was for $220 to Jack W. Turner, the other was for $10.46 to Country Roads Store.

A bench warrant out for Williams in Summers County is for failing to appear at the arraignment for the worthless check charges, according to the court document filed in Summers County.

The original charges against Williams all stem from incidents in May 2006.

After the magistrate completed the arraignments for the three different counties, Megan Williams was taken to the Kanawha County Courthouse to be processed. She was released on $8,000 bond.

As Williams stood in the courtroom, a Kanawha County sheriff’s deputy asked her where she got the teddy bear.

“Somebody gave it to me,” she said.

Then he asked how she was doing, if her injuries still hurt.

She shook her head.

“My arm hurts,” she said. “... Somebody broke it.”



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