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.
29 comments:
For a Canadian, it's unbeleivable that Crystal is still in jail. In most civilized jurisdictions, around the world, this case would have been dealt with in a Magistrate's Court the following morning as a "Simple Assult", for the scratch and as "Mischief" and a restitution order imposed for the damaged clothing. As well, if the victim requested it, a "no contact order" would have been issued.
Kenhyderal,
Just send Sidney the money! What's unbelievable3 is that people like you claim to be acting on CGM's behalf, but refuse to help her.
To guiowen:
guiowen said...
"Kenhyderal,
Just send Sidney the money! What's unbelievable3 is that people like you claim to be acting on CGM's behalf, but refuse to help her."
I do not believe in dignifying the bail by paying a cent towards it. The bail should be discarded and Crystal Mangum should be released immediately... and not placed under house arrest. She is neither a flight risk nor a danger to society. In addition, by housing her at the Durham County Correctional facility, it is burdening taxpayers. Money spent to keep her incarcerated could be better spent to defend the cash-strapped city of Durham from the avaricious carpetbagger families of the Duke Lacrosse defendants and their greedy attorneys.
Sure, sure! I love to see dignified Canadian types like you lording it over us poor brutish Americans.
guiowen said....... "Just send Sidney the money! What's unbelievable3 is that people like you claim to be acting on CGM's behalf, but refuse to help her."
Guiowen, I've explained to you several times but you just don't seem to get it. For me to bail out Crystal would take 100,000 US in Cash. Assets I have, are not situated in the U.S.A and are, therefore, not eligible to secure a bail bond. I have never claimed to be acting on Crystal's behalf. I'm just a person who sees a gross miscarriage of justice and have chosen to speak out against it. I do remain ready to help out where I can.
I for one, not a Nifong supporter because of his sociopathic behavior, do not feel that Crystal Magnum was denied justice. Did you even read why she was arrested? Do you really think all she did was scratch her boyfriend. She was charged with identity theft, verbal intimidation and attempted murder because she kept yelling that she was going to stab him in front of the police while throwing stuff at him. Then she went into the bathroom with all of his clothes and set them on fire while there were 3 CHILDREN in the house, which explains the arson charge. The fact that she has a long list of priors plays a huge factor on her bail.
By the way, as far as the Duke lacrosse case, she first claimed that she was raped by all 42 of the lacrosse players then changed it to just the 3 that lived in the house, then changed it saying she wasn't sure if there was any penetration at all which only came out in an interview 9 months later and why you ask...because Nifong did not meet with the victim once that entire time. Not to mention that he made an agreement with the head of a private DNA lab not to release all of the analysis which would have exonerated the defendant. Weird that none of their DNA was found but they found semen belonging to 5 other men inside of her, none matching the lacrosse players. Nifong witheld evidence and obviously knowingly when he made an agreement with the DNA analyst. And yes I strongly believe this was for his own gain (election) considering he had been working in traffic court before this came around. I seriously question your sanity and intelligence
To jeshanna:
Thank you for your comment. it should be read in its entirety. I plan on copying your statements and using them in future arguments. I hope you continue to contribute your intelligent and insightful comments to this blogsite.
To Jesshana:
Crystal Mangum was charged with "attempted first degree murder." Surely you would agree that that is an overcharge. She allegedly scratched him, but had no deadly weapon, and he suffered no injury. Other instances where spouses are seriously injured and neither spouse is charged with "attempted murder." As far as arson goes, that charge is baseless, as well. She set a few articles of his clothing on fire in a bathtub... that is fireproof and contains a faucet capable of delivering running water. It was a controlled burn, not unlike setting fire to his clothes in a fireplace. Had she set his clothes on fire in the middle of the living room floor's carpet, then I believe a case for arson could be made.
Bottom line is that the felony attempted first degree murder charge and the felony arson charges were leveled against Ms. Mangum in order to help support the ridiculously absurd bail of one million dollars. The purpose of the high bail was not because she was a flight risk or danger to society. It was imposed as a vendetta... vendetta justice as payback for accusations she made in the Duke Lacrosse case.
Though mocked by "Sidismyhero," I, seriously, invite you to continue to contribute to the blog site. It is always good to get different perspectives on issues which encourages thoughtful and interesting discourse with other commenters.
Guiowen said...."Sure, sure! I love to see dignified Canadian types like you lording it over us poor brutish Americans" ......... Guiowen I don't want to be sanctimonious but I don't think you want to get in a debate over which nation Canada or U.S.A. is the most just. Afterall we ended slavery here in 1783 It continued there for another 80 years. Then after your bloody Civil War when it was abolished many Southern States switched directly from slavery to segregation. Disgracefully this practice continued right up until 1964. In most of the Southern States Blacks could not vote, attend schools with Whites, stay in Hotel, get served in restaurants, were forced to use segregated public washrooms, sit in segregated areas of buses, trains and theatres. Even, in places, not allowed to use public drinking fountains. In many States inter-racial marriage was illegal and even, in places, inter-racial sex was considered a crime. These kinds of evils went on for 100 years. Even in the 21st century one of your "so-called" Universities The Bob Jones University forbid inter-racial dating for it's students until 2004. We've had universal single payer health care since the 1960's. We spend less per capita on health care, we have 100% coverage. Our people are healthier, our life spans longer, our infant mortality lower. And no, we don't have death panels and yes we can choose our own Doctor.
To kenhyderal:
Thank you for your comments about Canada, which was the promised land for many of the slaves escaping the antebellum plantations of the south. I also believe the health care system in Canada is much better than the one in the United States where many people, including those hard workers in the middle class, are unable to afford health insurance. It is truly a shameful situation. The main beneficiaries of the health care system in the United States are the health insurance companies... middlemen who provide no meaningful service.
Thanks for your insights. Any rebuttal, guiowen?
Yep,Canada ended segregation in their schools...in 1983. Look it up. Kenhyderal -- The name "Viola Desmond" mean anything to you?
Canada's history of racial discrimination is just as long and sordid as that of the US.
Despicable, deplorable but totally un-institutionalized. It was a racist private business owner that would only sell cheaper seats to blacks and the only charges that could be brought centred on tax evasion.
Isn't Canad the place where, through the 20th century, Indian children had to go to special schools, where they could be sterilized? Aren't the inmates of those schools still suing the schools, the government, and the churches? Have you ever heard of the Canadian Holocaust?
Isn't Canada the place where Human Rights Tribunals can sue you for saying anything that anybody objects to?
Thank God we still have free speech in this country.
In any case, we're not interested in the wonderful country that Canada is, but rather in what Kenhyderal does nowadays.
I at least work for an outfit which is totally integrated. Whites, Blacks, Orientals (both Middle East and Far East), Latinos, Amerindians, all work with me. Strangely enough, in this horrible country, we all get along together.
For whom do you work, Kenhyderal? How do your people treat the less fortunate?
Sidney,
I realize you have an instinctive liking for Canada, because it was the terminus of the underground railway, etc. Please remember it was the people in Syracuse and such towns that were actually running a risk in getting the blacks through to Canada.
As for their wonderful medical system, I have a Canadian friend who's suffering of congestive heart failure. The Canadian medical system assures him he'll eventually be treated. Because he's over 60, however, he's in the rear of the queue. He'll almost certainly die before they get to him.
Finally, note that you and I, though we disagree about so much, can carry on a very civil conversation. If we were in Canada, your friends (not you) would probably try to haul me before the famous human rights tribunals because I was saying things that made you suffer.
Guiowen that's a complete distortion of the Human Rights Tribunal See: http://chrt-tcdp.gc.ca/NS/about-apropos/jurisdiction-competence-eng.asp I am self-emloyed and do not discriminate in hiring. I'm not sure what you mean by "your people".
Kenhyderal,
You live in a country where the Filipino gardener is paid all of 200 dollars per month, and the Vietnamese maid, all of 300 dollars.
But I'm sure you pay them 25 Dirhams (about 7 dollars) per hour. Or do you?
Kenhyderal,
Here's a nice story about entrapment by the Human Rights Tribunal:
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=422ae2ae-2482-4e6b-a34b-a301ce4a3c95
One other thing: scientists from the United States have won over 90 Nobel prizes in medicine or physiology. Two Canadians won this prize in 1923. Since then, two other Canadians have won - for work they did after relocating to the United States. One of the reasons our medical system is so expensive is that the U. S. is bearing the brunt of the expenses related to research and development. Canada just sits back and takes advantage of our research.
The other reason our medical system is so expensive, of course, is the existence of lawyers who are ready to sue anyone around if a patient so much as loses a hair by mistake. I admit I envy Canada their lack of such lawyers.
Guiowen: You and I can debate these things but we are getting decidedly off topic, which is how just is the treatment of Crystal Mangum and not whether Canada or the U.S.A. is the more just nation. All I was saying is her treatment would not and could not occur in Canada.
Kenhyderal is correct when it comes to the topic at hand. A justice system that allows a vendetta held by the state against an individual to usurp justice for that individual is a disgrace. Besides Crystal Mangum, Alan Gell is another well known victim of NC Vendetta Justice. Lesser known victims of vendetta justice include Theodore Jerry Williams (who was physically beaten up by guards while in custody) and Floyd Brown (a mentally retarded man who was held 14 years without a trial, and upon his release the prosecutor, Michael D. Parker, interferred with arrangements for him to be admitted to an assisted living facility). Talk about malice.
Kenhyderal,
You're the one who suggested a debate.
Let us then, as per your request, get back to the topic of CGM. My interpretation of the case is as follows. The cash-strapped city of Durham is being sued for all its marbles by the people you call carpetbaggers. The suit is going to center on (a) what CGM did, and (b) how Nifong reacted to CGM's accusations. Clearly, the city can count on Nifong to follow the desired script: he is a reasonably intelligent, sane man. (Notice I don't discuss whether he's lying or not.)
The problem, for the city, is that CGM is not entirely sane. I myself bear her no animosity, and, if she were sane, would be happy to meet her: she's quite good looking and intelligent. However, she's not quite sane, especially, I suspect, when she takes drugs. Thus, just as I am afraid to meet her socially (God only knows what she might say about me afterward), the city is afraid that she might "spill the beans". Thus the city is probably quite relieved that they have her under control, locked up where she won't create problems. They're willing to let her out of jail, but only if they can keep her under house arrest.
Does this seem reasonable? I realize I'm just an old man who knows nothing about the real world (only about mathematics), but I'm suspicious by nature and this whole story is extremely suspicious.
guiowen said...
Kenhyderal,
You're the one who suggested a debate......... Not exactly and "I quote'" Guiowen I don't want to be sanctimonious but I don't think you want to get in a debate over which nation Canada or U.S.A. is the most just
Guiowen: Am I understanding you correctly? Are you suggesting that The City of Durham and their Attorneys are keeping a potential witness, i.e. Crystal Mangum, incarcerated on a trumped up charge because releasing her may be harmful to the defence they are mounting, in the civil case brought on by the Duke Lacrosse Player's Families. Would that not be a violation of the American Constitution?
Kenhyderal,
I can't say that that's what's happening, but that's certainly what I see.
As to the Constitution, quite frankly, police all over the country are constantly pulling dirty tricks which violate the spirit and frequently the letter of the law.
Think of Mike Nifong. Think of the several other prosecutors whom our host Sidney is continually lambasting on this blog.
Sidney,
Our Canadian friend is shocked! ... shocked! to hear that police and prosecutors sometimes misbehave.
All kidding aside, Kenhyderal, this blog started because of some serious misbehavior on the part of the Durham city fathers and prosecutor.
I'm sorry if you feel you just lost your virginity.
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