More developments in the horrific case of James Craig Anderson, the Black Mississippi man killed in an alleged racially motivated beating and hit-and-run murder. The 48-year-old auto plant worker had a long-term male partner of almost two decades and they were raising a daughter.
Anderson's family has asked Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith not to seek the death penalty in the case, reports CNN.
"We ask that you not seek the death penalty for anyone involved in James' murder," the letter states; the letter is signed by Barbara Anderson Young, James Craig Anderson's sister who is in charge of, and speaks for, his estate.
The letter states that the family is opposed to the death penalty partly for religious convictions. "Our opposition to the death penalty is deeply rooted in our religious faith, a faith that was central in James' life as well," the letter states. But the family goes on to explain that there is another reason for their opposition, one that is tied to Mississippi's racial past.
"We also oppose the death penalty because it historically has been used in Mississippi and the South primarily against people of color for killing whites," the letter states. "Executing James' killers will not help to balance the scales. But sparing them may help to spark a dialogue that one day will lead to the elimination of capital punishment."
The 48-year-old auto plant worker died on the morning of June 26 in a motel parking lot. Surveillance video shows two carloads of teenagers driving into the parking lot. Several approached Anderson, who was beaten and robbed. The video shows Anderson being struck by a truck. Witnesses report one teenager yelled "white power" and the driver of the pickup shouted the n-word.
Two men have been charged. Nineteen-year-old Daryl Dedmon, who was driving the pickup, faces capital murder charges and is being held without bond. Another young man is charged with assault and was released on bond. Prosecutors plan "to seek indictments against both for murder and a hate crime, and will seek indictments against [five] other teens who were at the scene," reports CNN.
Last week, Anderson's family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the seven white teenagers that police say were involved in the gruesome crime. Anderson's long-term partner is prevented by Mississippi law and the Defense of Marriage Act from joining the legal action. Forced to remain on the sidelines while Anderson's family makes all the decisions ... and collects what is likely to be a substantial settlement.
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I am praying that Mrs. Barbara Anderson, the sister who seems to be so compassionate and committed to justice in this particular case shows that exact level of compassionate and commitment to her "brother in law" in the execution of the estate that she is in charge of ONLY because her brother's partner is being disregarded by state law!
Her brother was in a long-term committed relationship and yet HIS BROTHER gets to make statements and decisions about his life, while his partner is silenced and blocked in every way!
UGH!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 14 September 2011 at 14:55
@TheRevKev
Ditto.
I would have appreciated this statement even more if Mrs. Anderson had brought that up (loathe as I am to go there considering the horrific circumstances of her som's death
Posted by: Chitown kev | 14 September 2011 at 17:20
Why do I get the feeling that they don't want to seek the death penalty because they fear retaliation from whites in their area? Just a thought.
And her pitiful excuse about "religious convictions" opposing the death penalty? PLEASE!
Religion and Slavery has really fucked over the mindset of many negroes in this nation!
Posted by: Rodney B | 15 September 2011 at 16:08
If that's what the family wants, then they have nothing to worry about. The victim was black (and gay) and the murderers were white (and presumably straight). There was no way they were getting the death penalty in that scenario anyway; or at least, there was no way a jury was going to convict them on a death penalty charge.
Posted by: sonofbaldwin | 16 September 2011 at 15:02