More developments in the case of the horrific videotaped beating of a young gay Atlanta man. The man who repeatedly yelled "faggot" and other gay slurs at Brandon White was the person recording the assault ... and not one of the attackers, a defense attorney claims to the Associated Press.
Attorney Jay Abt said his client, Dorian Moragne, plans to plead not guilty. He would not say whether Moragne was at the scene of the beating. Abt also said that his client, Dorian Moragne, knew the man who was beaten and that the beating does not appear to be a hate crime.
"It appears from watching the video that the person yelling the homosexual slurs is someone who is not in the actual video, someone who is not being filmed," Abt said. He said Moragne plans to plead not guilty to aggravated assault and robbery charges stemming from the beating.
The violent video of the February 4 attack quickly went viral across the internet. The 20-year-old White could be seen leaving a store and ambushed by three young men. White's cell phone was stolen in the robbery/beating.
Moragne can be seen throwing a tire on White after he was kicked and knocked to the ground. No word yet if Abt also claims that did not happen ....
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the assault. Seventeen-year-old Darael Damare Williams surrendered to Pennsylvania authorities on Thursday. Williams is awaiting extradition. Moragne surrendered on Feb. 25. Eighteen-year-old Christopher Cain was arrested on February 11. All face charges of aggravated assault and robbery.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta and Federal Bureau of Investigation have joined the case. The suspects may face federal hate crimes charges because Georgia is one of only five states without a hate crimes law.
Allegations surfaced last week that it was not a hate crime, and that White knew the attackers and hoped to "out" gang members on the "down low". Those stories are false and White did not know his assailants, according to White's attorney.
Several Black gay "activists" who previously stood by White later accused him of "lying" about the circumstances. The activists also met with defense attorney Abt and Moragne's mother on camera.
In a new interview with The GA Voice, one of the "activists"admits that he has "never personally met" Brandon White and apologized for his actions. Twenty-one-year-old Devin Barrington Ward blames his "youth and immaturity."
"This is a touchy subject in the LGBT community. Many people have told me they have been victims, their friends have been victims or their family members have been victims. I'm a young man and I made a mistake," Ward said. "I realize whether or not he knew the attackers, a crime occurred. I want full accountability [from the suspects] so we can get to a healing stage," he added.
Read the full interview HERE.
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This is shaping up to be a HUGE MESS!
Posted by: Kirk | 29 February 2012 at 12:35
They need to shut the hell up. Period. And his mealy mouthed apology does NOTHING to reverse the irreparable damage he and CHANGE ATLANTA have caused.
Posted by: BLKSeaGoat | 29 February 2012 at 15:42
The kid is the exact same age as I am and he is an activist? I'm sorry if this sounds mean or judgmental but it's incredibly disturbing that this is what passes of as "activism". A person in the closet like myself shouldn't judge, I know but it's absolutely horrendous and insulting. From time to time, I hear discussions and thoughts on diversity, tolerance, and multiculturalism, as well as progressiveness and having allies but sometimes I feel it's just lip service and useless sound bytes. With "allies" like these, who needs adversaries? It's very scary that those in my age group, who are often perceived as being more supportive and understanding in this day and age, as well as more progressive, can be just as unsupportive, problematic, and part of the problem.
More than ever I cannot blame or hold it against anybody that's Black and LGBT that still is in the closet. The contempt society, no, the FREAKING world has is unbelievable.
Posted by: Kevin Perez | 29 February 2012 at 22:08
I couldn't find a official website but I stumble upon this:
http://www.facebook.com/ChangeAtlanta
Posted by: Kevin Perez | 29 February 2012 at 22:19
Following are some highlights from the interview with Change Atlanta "activist" Devin Barrington-Ward:
"At a Feb. 25 Change Atlanta meeting and press conference at the Rush Center, Ward said he supported White but also did not want to see the three suspects — black teenagers — thrown into a “broken” judicial system.
I stand behind Brandon White, and I stand behind Brandon White because he is my brother, even though I never personally met Brandon… Just as much as he is my brother so are the individuals that attacked him, and we have to as a community talk how we bridge the gap between the victim and the ones who inflicted the pain upon the victim,” Ward said then."
This is insanity and Ward is an idiot. Is this what passes for "black gay activism" in Atlanta these days? Ward obviously does not care a whole lot about JUSTICE for Brandon. Ward's primary concern is making sure Brandon's attackers are not sent to prison. Ward is doing serious damage to Brandon's case by continuing to talk about it in public. Ward should SIT DOWN and SHUT UP about this case.
Ward has a strange idea of what gay activism is. For starters, he should support the VICTIM. The victim in this case is Brandon White. He is the ONLY victim.
The thugs who attacked Brandon are NOT victims of anything except their own bad behavior for which they should be punished and punished severely.
Posted by: elg | 01 March 2012 at 12:20
Rod, looks like you some mentoring and training for these "activists" really needs to occur. Who needs enemies when you have "activists" like this? Glad the perps were arrested and indicted so quickly. Such an unfortunate and sad situation.
Posted by: Tamara | 03 March 2012 at 14:56