Monday
Jun082009
Why You Ask Questions First. Broward County Prosecutor Responds
Monday, June 8, 2009 at 6:15PM The Blogmother
First, let me say. I. WAS. WRONG about one very important fact in this case. You will shortly read why I was wrong, but I am glad I listened to my gut that said, "get some answers."
So I cautioned you about storming the Bastille de Broward county before laying a foundation and getting some answers from the prosecutor's office. So this morning I called the office , they returned my call.
I spoke to Stacy who handled the file and she said that the lack of cooperation was one of many factors. She also said the photos were probably not of what we all think they show. She also said she goes forward without the victim's cooperation all the time. She was very straightforward on the phone.
She asked why there was interest in the case. I told her about our concern about Black women and girls. We should have been clued in by the fact that this case made television... the victim is not Black. yes folks, we ( and by "we" I have to include "ME") assumed the victim was African American and she's not. She's White. No wonder they were making house calls on the local news.
So the whole "they aren't prosecuting because the victim is a Black girl argument" just got thrown out the window. There are some other things going on down there in Broward County, but this is not our usual throw Black girls under the bus story.
I likely had more success than others because I called to inquire and not to condemn. In asking questions first, I have saved you and me tremendous public embarrassment. I didn't say ALL embarrassment, I said TREMENDOUS embarrassment. So I repeat, every "mobilization" doesn't have to be on CNN. Sometimes the best way to get answers isn't by "showing out" sometimes you just need to ask the right people the right questions in the right way.
All of the questions from the earlier post remain. If you have a confession by one of the defendants that they participated in a group sex act with a 15 year old girl, why isn't that being pursued irrespective of the race of the victim?
UPDATE: A WADO reader heard back from Plantation PD
So I cautioned you about storming the Bastille de Broward county before laying a foundation and getting some answers from the prosecutor's office. So this morning I called the office , they returned my call.
I spoke to Stacy who handled the file and she said that the lack of cooperation was one of many factors. She also said the photos were probably not of what we all think they show. She also said she goes forward without the victim's cooperation all the time. She was very straightforward on the phone.
She asked why there was interest in the case. I told her about our concern about Black women and girls. We should have been clued in by the fact that this case made television... the victim is not Black. yes folks, we ( and by "we" I have to include "ME") assumed the victim was African American and she's not. She's White. No wonder they were making house calls on the local news.
So the whole "they aren't prosecuting because the victim is a Black girl argument" just got thrown out the window. There are some other things going on down there in Broward County, but this is not our usual throw Black girls under the bus story.
I likely had more success than others because I called to inquire and not to condemn. In asking questions first, I have saved you and me tremendous public embarrassment. I didn't say ALL embarrassment, I said TREMENDOUS embarrassment. So I repeat, every "mobilization" doesn't have to be on CNN. Sometimes the best way to get answers isn't by "showing out" sometimes you just need to ask the right people the right questions in the right way.
All of the questions from the earlier post remain. If you have a confession by one of the defendants that they participated in a group sex act with a 15 year old girl, why isn't that being pursued irrespective of the race of the victim?
UPDATE: A WADO reader heard back from Plantation PD
It has been my experience that the Broward County State Attorney’s Office vigorously pursues prosecutable cases. I have not spoken with the prosecutors assigned to this case, but my detectives tell me that they are taking it very seriously and that the potential exists for the subjects to face charges in the near future. The decision to dismiss charges at this particular juncture may be part of a larger strategy. Our detectives are a passionate group of individuals who work very closely with the State Attorney’s Office and they feel that in the end, the right decision will be reached.
Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns and if I can ever be of assistance again, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours cordially,
Larry L. Massey, Jr.
Chief of Police
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Reader Comments (12)
Thanks for the investigative work, Gina! This isn't a case about the victimization of black girls, but it's still part of the huge cycle of violence toward all women and girls so I'm glad it got some attention.
And I'd still like to see this case prosecuted, but I totally understand if this girl would rather not go thru with a trial. That can be traumatizing in itself even if she doesn't testify.
There are still potentially 6 men running around that town who are targeting underage girls.
If they targeted her, I doubt she was the only one.
Of course she's not the only one. This is likely a pattern of behavior. Who goes over to someone's house and just "stumbles" into group sex with an underage girl. no doubt they'll do it again too.
Well..I'm hoping now that we know the survivor is white Nancy Grace will swoop in and bring national attention to this. Those men still need to be in jail because they've already likely assaulted some Black girls anyway.
It is clear that this was not the pack of wolves first time engaging in this type of behavior. All parties knew the victim was underage before they started their surprise sex party.
The two men who are not being prosecuted in this case must have turned state evidence against the remaining co-defendants. In consideration of the charges being dropped against them, James Hunte Jr. and Ryan Ashley Johnson will probably have to testify against their "boyz". We all know what happens to snitches in the hood.
I agree. Something needs to be done we've got 6 animals on the loose. I could care less that the victim is white. But yes, Nancy Grace and the main stream media will be that calvary for this young lady. Must be nice to have an entire nations protect you.
Meanwhile the folks at the NAACP will once again support black male rapists. I'm sure some ignorant fools at the NAACP will surround themselves around these rapists and talk about how unfair people are treating them. Then Hot Comb Al will have a press conference about it. Meanwhile these rapists get off lightly!
My guess, and this is just a guess, I don't think they believe their victim. Sometimes it's just gut instinct, but other times you catch them in lies and the last thing you want is for the defense to catch them in a lie. That would be my best guess. And since neither the girl or the family is pushing it, there's no real point.
I contacted the city of Plantation and their police department via email yesterday. This was the response by the police chief:
Good afternoon, Mrs. Bailey,
It has been my experience that the Broward County State Attorney’s Office vigorously pursues prosecutable cases. I have not spoken with the prosecutors assigned to this case, but my detectives tell me that they are taking it very seriously and that the potential exists for the subjects to face charges in the near future. The decision to dismiss charges at this particular juncture may be part of a larger strategy. Our detectives are a passionate group of individuals who work very closely with the State Attorney’s Office and they feel that in the end, the right decision will be reached.
Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns and if I can ever be of assistance again, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours cordially,
Larry L. Massey, Jr.
Chief of Police
Typical police response , but he did respond in writing which is something that most southern law enforcement officals aren't willing to do in matters such as these. I don't care what the girl's race is; criminals are running around free and they should be prosecuted; if they haven't attack a little black girl already, it's only a matter of time before they do.
Wow! Lots of lesson here.
Some are still cracking at the WW glass box...
With the economy the way it is, people are angry. I'm fearful of a backlash at some point.
Were the rapists white as well?
Whatever the case I think you mentioned that a more formal organization may be needed for black women and girls. I for one believe that it is needed. However, I'm sure it won't be easy...worth it still.
I received another update from the Plantation Police Department.
Good afternoon, Mrs. Bailey,
You recently expressed your concerns to me about the prosecution of a particular sexual battery case, so I thought I would take a few moments to provide you with the courtesy of a very brief update.
Of the two remaining suspects, we managed to profile them on the crime fighting show, “America’s Most Wanted”, and we’re thankful for the show’s spirit of cooperation. Thanks to viewer tips one of the individuals was arrested in the New York / New Jersey area, and we immediately sent a detective to interview him. Because of the very nature of the crime I am prohibited from going into more detail, but I will say that the interview was productive. As I indicated to you previously, our detectives and the state attorney’s office take these criminal matters very seriously and our department will continue to do all it can to arrive at the truth. I remain confident that in the end, the right decision will be reached.
Yours cordially,
Larry L. Massey, Jr.
Chief of Police