Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo has begun to backpedal on statements that the string of attacks by black teenagers on white UVa students were racially motivated, despite confessions from the arrested suspects. The topic became hot after David Duke’s white supremacy organization got involved on Thursday, demanding that the suspects be charged under § 18.2-57 B., which is Virginia’s hate crime statute. Reed Williams has a story on the matter in today’s Progress.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
four six and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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So, wait, what exactly did the article say? I don’t get the paper, because I’m poor. : P I’ve been saying all along that I didn’t think that claim that the crimes were racially motivated was accurate, does this confirm that suspicion? Or is the police chief just saying, “Maybe the kids aren’t telling the truth?” Or perhaps something else?
It’s one of their linked articles today, this of course will be useless tomorrow, but here’s the link:
http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsitems/3news.htm
It is a shame that the NAACP and other members of the “black community” get an audience and a voice, but no one seems to be able to broach the polarization between the sides (David Duke for God’s sake! Please, just stay home!) in order to speak for the victims.
If the accused have stated that they selected victims of a race other than their own, how is that not a race crime?
Methinks this will just get more and more ugly . . .
It reminds me of the “wilding” attacks in NYC / Central Park a few years ago: just senseless violence
Perhaps the white girls — perhaps girlfriends, apparently present but not participating in the assaults — haven’t been changed as the local black notables would like because these gals are co-operating with the investigation. That is, they’ve struck a deal?
And here only speculating further: perhaps the named, adult “star” athlete from CHS hadn’t yet signed a commitment to play at the college level because he hadn’t yet met the minimum NCAA academic requirements to play? Or isn’t expected to ever meet that requirement? The recruitment signing-time is nigh.
I’m curious as to why the mayor is involving himself in this criminal matter. Seems way outside his purview.
Because it is ALL political now.
Reread, five times, the first sentence from today’s Daily Regress article:
“Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy J. Longo said Friday that it is premature to conclude that race was a motive in a series of attacks against college students, though authorities have said three black suspects admitted they chose only white targets.”
Whoever wrote that had a great sense of (subversive) humor!
I would guess that the Police Dept.’s Lt. J.W. Gibson — who was quoted in the original Regress (and then Cavalier Daily follow-up) article, indicating the attacks were racially motivated — must now be in the hot-seat . . . for having spoken so candidly, and relaying that the assailants THEMSELVES explained that their attacks were racially-motivated. The ugly truth can be inconvenient. Then the politicians (chief, mayor) dithered, and this time-lapse and ambiguity invited the David Duke crowd in.
In short, another disappoinment from local politicans.
You are so right
How’s this for a headline –
I will predict that the next scene is this local drama is a long period of silence in the local media.
Anyone else care to predict?
No question! There doesn’t seem to be much media stickiness to most stories around here. Why should this prove any different?
Because he’s running for re-election.
I agree with your statement 100%!! Couldn’t have said it better…
“Why should this prove any different?”
Because it should.
This issue should cause the people to speak up for what is right, because it is obvious that those who have been selected/elected do not have the moral fortitude to say what is right.
Some media outlet should do a story inviting the public’s opinion on their definition of what reverse discrimination means to them. (answer – it’s the same as good old, run-of-the-mill discrimination!)
–jd