Now compare this with Crystal Mangum, who allegedly scratched her boyfriend during what he described as a "misunderstanding." She is charged with attempted first degree murder, and placed under a one million dollar bail. Although the bail was later reduced to a measly $100,000, the judge stated that in the event she made bail that she would still be placed under house arrest. No such condition was made for Mr. Leonard Wilson. Why the discrepancies...? Answer: Vendetta justice!
Vendetta justice is selective, illogical, and discriminatory... and Ms. Mangum, like former Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong are victims of vendetta justice. There are many other such comparative cases like Leonard Earl Wilson's that readily expose the harsh draconian treatment of Ms. Mangum. Ms. Mangum continues to languish in jail with no end to her ordeal in sight, while the so-called leaders of the black communities in Durham remain as silent as dormice. Where is the Durham NAACP? What is their position with relationship to Ms. Mangum's charges and bail? Has the NAACP written any letters to the courts, the prosecutors, or the media to explain their displeasure (if they are displeased) about Ms. Mangum's treatment?
I, for one, a member of the Committee on Justice for Mike Nifong, am outraged at the travesty of this vendetta justice towards Ms. Mangum... and I have backed it up with letters to Ms. Mangum's prosecutor (Angela Garcia-Lamarca), the Durham District Attorney (Tracy Cline), one of the presiding judges (Honorable Claude Allen) and people in the media, including the Herald Sun, and News & Observer.
When the Scottsboro Boys were charged with rape in the early half of the twentieth century, the NAACP's legal team lacked the courage to step in and see that these accused received their best defensive representation. It is a blight on the history of this august organization. The defense of the Scottsboro boys came from socialist/communist groups... the NAACP being silent as dormice. Well, history is unfortunately repeating itself with Crystal Mangum. This is truly another sad and shameful episode in Durham history, and in the history of the Durham NAACP.
Now I must give credit to Reverend William Barber and the state NAACP for saving James Arthur Johnson from being railroaded by the Wilson prosecutors, led by Bill Wolfe. However, to my understanding, Mr. Johnson has yet to receive the $20,000 he earned for solving the crimes against Brittany Willis. Furthermore, it is my understanding that the ludicrous felony charge of "misprision of felony" (failure to notify authorities of the knowledge of a crime) is still on his record. Everything connected with this fiasco needs to be expunged from Johnson's record. The NAACP should at least follow up and see that Mr. Johnson receives the reward he deserves, and have all related criminal charges expunged from his record.
But restorative justice for Mr. Johnson can be put on the back burner because he is at least enjoying his freedom. The brunt of the NAACP's attention and efforts should be focused on having the ridiculous charges against Ms. Mangum dismissed, and having her immediately released from the Durham County Correctional facility. The NAACP and other so-called leaders of the black communities of Durham should accept nothing less.
