White Men Accused Of Attack On Black Man Face Felony Charges In Indiana

[Nevilledog]

https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/07/17/892518321/white-men-accused-of-alleged-lynching-of-black-man-face-felony-charges-in-indian

Two white men who were filmed in an attack on a Black man on Independence Day at a state park have been charged by Indiana officials.

The Monroe County Prosecutor's office announced the charges Friday, after a two-day review of an investigation report by the state's Department of Natural Resources as well as other digital evidence provided by witnesses.

Sean Purdy and Jerry Cox are accused of criminal confinement, battery and intimidation for their alleged roles in an attack on Vauhxx Booker near Lake Monroe.

"This is not a happy moment. It's a necessary moment," Booker said in a Zoom news conference Friday afternoon.

"We have a legal system and what I want now is our neighbors to decide the fate of these individuals," he added.

*snip*

[irisblue]

1. IndyStar. com article on this

Source--https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2020/07/06/officers-investigating-alleged-racially-motivated-assault-lake-monroe-dnr-conservation-officers/5382613002/

And the defendants lawyers say, he was the instigator

Source--https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2020/07/06/officers-investigating-alleged-racially-motivated-assault-lake-monroe-dnr-conservation-officers/5382613002/


I cannot provide snips, b/c I have been paywalled out, I used up my 6 for this month

[stopdiggin]

2. Booker returned to private property

he had been previously asked to leave (or at least informed was not "public" land) to continue "discussions."

None of which excuses the behavior of the men in the video -- as subsequent charges would seem to attest. But why go back?

[AnotherMother4Peace]

3. Who asked him to leave? Who informed him it was not "public" land? Did his assailants own the land?

What "offense" constitutes a lynching? What "offense" constitutes an assault? As to your question "why go back"? With difficulty, I, as an older, white woman, tried to put myself into Booker's place. I imagined that I was a young man of color in a particularly racist area. I imagined that I was on a trail to the river with my friends. I imagined that it was a legal, safe place because others were using the same trail. I imagined that I was the only one assaulted and pushed up against a tree by a group of big men (and women), who smelt of alcohol, and who were calling for a noose. I can't imagine anymore - it's too frightening and traumatizing to me. Now I will answer your question from my point of view. Yes - it is very important to return to the scene of the crime and continue the discussions. Very important to use this horrific incident for discussion. I don't know if I would have the bravery to do it, but I sure do admire Mr. Booker for his bravery, and for returning to the scene of the crime for clarity and transparency.

I did not read the article. I will and perhaps some of the above questions will be answered.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

6. Holly shit - where are you getting your "facts"?

"...trespass was unknowing and inadvertent, as you describe" - Nope - not my description.

Booker returned with "...cellphone at the ready" - not true. It was VERY fortunate that an older gentleman on the trail was able to videotape, and there were others using the trail to intervene. Are saying that Booker was videotaping himself????

OK done - your scenario is wrong.

[obamanut2012]

5. They don't own any property around there

It's not theirs. And, Booker was on a public access area ie public land.

The poster you are responding to is playing a tad loose with the facts.