As supporters of Megan Williams prepare to march Saturday, The Associated Press focuses on the unquelled debate over whether "hate crime" charges are warranted in her case.
Both The Charleston Gazette and The Herald-Dispatch of Huntington hear from those urging the public to attend the noon march.
"While national groups and figures like the Southern Christian Leadership Coalition and the Rev. Al Sharpton have lent their support to the march, local black churches and the NAACP have pointedly declined to participate, worrying that the publicity could damage the prosecution," the AP observes in its article.
The local television stations - WSAZ-TV, WCHS-TV and WOWK-TV - all report on security measures planned for the march.
MetroNews heard from one of the leading proponents of the march on its Talkline program Wednesday, and offers complete audio in five parts here.
Talkline host Hoppy Kercheval, meanwhile, has definite opinions about Malik Zulu Shabazz and his presence in the ongoing debate.
The leader of the Black Lawyers for Justice and attorney for the New Black Panther Party "strikes me as a power-hungry, publicity-seeking opportunist," Kercheval writes in his online column today.
02 November 2007
Charleston Prepares For "Hate Crime" March
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The Megan Williams case is not being prosecuted as a hate crime because the evidence doesn’t support allegations that the crime was racially motivated. According to a witness who will testify for the prosecution, Williams had been dating Bobby Brewster, one of the accused, for some time. Police have charged Brewster with aggravated domestic battery against Williams in the past.
The prosecution has repeatedly asked Williams to stop giving interviews in which she claims she didn’t know or “barely knew” her assailants. While the sister of one of the accused will testify that many of Megan’s allegations are true, Megan has made other allegations that are demonstrably false. The defense will use her false or misleading statements to impeach her testimony. The prosecution has also asked Megan and her mother not to attend the demonstration. They fear the protest will taint the jury pool and prompt the defense to request a change of venue. People who are trying to elevate the case to a hate crime are playing into the hands of the defense.
The six accused are career criminals with many prior arrests and convictions, including homicide and manslaughter convictions in cases where the victims were white. The charges against them are serious enough to put them away for life. According to some of her supporters, Williams is “mentally impaired.” This make the crimes committed against her even more hideous, but those who want to make the case a national issue are also taking advantage of her.
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