PHOTO: Project Q Atlanta
Three of the four defendants accused of brutally attacking a young gay Atlanta man and videotaping the assault have been sentenced to five years in prison and five years probation, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The GAVoice.
The videotaped February 4 attack against Brandon White went viral across the internet. Federal authorities joined the manhunt and prosecution.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge T. Jackson Bedford sentenced 18-year-old Christopher Cain (above), 19-year-old Dorian Moragne and 18-year-old Darael Williams to charges of aggravated assault, street gang activity and robbery by force.
"Y'all are the ultimate bullies, and you bullied somebody and you hurt him," Bedford told the defendants. "To me there is no question you did it because of his sexual orientation."
With White looking on in the courtroom, the three defendants offered apologies for their actions. "I am disappointed in myself because I know better and know right from wrong," Dareal Demare Williams said. Upon their release from prison, probation will include intensive community service and sensitivity education.
Jay Abt, an attorney for one of the defendants, said, "I think it was a reasonable sentence under the circumstances."
Another defendant, 24-year-old Javaris Bradford, was indicted by a grand jury in late March and remains at large.
Cain has been described as one of the "main aggressors" in the videotaped February 4 attack that went viral across the internet. The vicious beating of White began after Cain claimed White made a sexual advance toward him, according to court documents. White has denied the claim. Cain can be seen on the video "stomp[ing] Brandon White after he was punched and kicked" to the ground.
Other defendants were seen stomping and kicking Brandon White. Moragne was identified as the person who threw a tire on the victim.
A group of Atlanta-based LGBT activists wrote a letter to the judge requesting a light sentence for Moragne and Williams, who pleaded guilty in May. Brandon White said believed the sentence was fair—but was "angered" by the letter from the activists, reports The GA Voice.
When asked about LGBT activists who signed a letter seeking the men be put on probation or serve community service rather than being sentenced to a lengthy prison term, White said he was angered that they never approached him to ask about what he thought.
"I was very surprised and the reason being I actually didn't find out about the letter until a couple days ago it had already been sent out to the judge, it had already been sent out to the DA's office," he said.
"And then when it had my name in it I'm like where did these people come from? Why would you say you are advocating for me when at the end of the day you are on the other side," he said. White said he was never contacted by the activists.
Georgia is one of only five states without a hate crimes law. The Justice Department has already announced they will file federal hate crime charges once the state has concluded its case.
You May Have Missed:
Guilty Pleas in Videotaped Assault
Bond Denied for Suspect in Videotaped ATL Gay Bashing
Fourth Man Charged in Atlanta Gay Bashing
Attorney: "Brandon White Did Not Know Attackers"
Activists Claim Beating Victim Tried to Expose "DL" Thugs
Third ATL Gay Bashing Suspect Awaits Extradition
Third Suspect Arrested in Brutal Atlanta Gay Bashing
Second Suspect Surrenders in Atlanta Gay Bashing
Atlanta Beating Victim Identified
Atlanta Thugs Brutally Beat "Faggot"
Suspect Arrested in Atlanta Gay Bashing
ATL Mayor Offers $25K Reward for Suspects
Here's what many of these dimwit LGBT advocates who purport to speak for us miss: the purpose of prison is not to deter homophobia, which is no crime, but to deter assault, which is a crime.
Hooray for the judge in this case who sentenced these monsters (who were ALREADY on probation for previous crimes) to prison where they belong. And hooray for Brandon White who stood up for himself.
Posted by: elg | 14 July 2012 at 16:44
Does anyone know the reason that these "advocates" would request leniency? This seems very odd to me so I must missing something. Any help?
Posted by: Ambrose | 14 July 2012 at 19:00
Wow, if the dude in the pic up top doesn't look gay. really gay. really, really, gay.
Posted by: Santa Barbara | 14 July 2012 at 21:14
amen!
karma is real...
they better be on guard shopping at the commissary!!
http://aliciabanks.xanga.com/732741843/black-homohatred-kills---a-eulogy-for-sakia-gunn/
Posted by: alicia banks | 15 July 2012 at 00:51
Two 18 y/o and a 19 y/o. Smh. They will be wifed very quickly in prison. However, since they are in Atlanta, I'm pretty sure they have been butt-f..... before.t
Posted by: Tony | 15 July 2012 at 09:45
Shame on these LGBT idiots who signed that letter asking for a light sentence!
As for the scumbags involved in this case; I am pleased that the judge didn't take this crime lightly, and instead sentenced these goons to an appropriate sentence...
I wish all three of them many butt f*cks and sodomy during their stay at Hotel Bars and Stripes.
Posted by: Black Pegasus | 15 July 2012 at 11:36
Justice Prevails!
Posted by: Mike | 15 July 2012 at 12:48
What's with constant coddling of criminals in regards to these types of crimes? Why treat them like infantile children who just made a mistake? Are we living in a society where the perpetrators become the co-victims of someone's else grievance, hardship, mistreatment and abuse? Especially of those they victimize.
Who the hell are these "LGBT activists" !?
Posted by: Kevin Perez | 15 July 2012 at 13:45
This is so sad. Black gay men will be converging on the city in a few weeks-- how many will think about this case?
Posted by: kevjack | 19 July 2012 at 22:45
So to fight the image of being perceived as gay, these assailants beat a young gay man and then said it was because he threatened to out them as gay though they are not gay. But then gay activists stand up with the not-gay assailants against the gay young man who was beaten to ask the courts to be easy on the not-gay young men who beat the gay young man because...
I don't know if 5-years is enough but I am thankful that Brandon has no permanent physical damage (because the emotional and psychological scars of being attacked and beaten are tremendous), but I hope that this conversation TRULY prepares us to STAND UP WITH AND FOR EACH OTHER! Period!!!
Justice is being "served" in that there was a proper trial and sentencing, but to witness the ways that the community called Brandon's integrity into question, did and then didn't stand with him and then asked for lenience for those who knowingly attacked him reeks of a divide that must be discussed and healed.
A Community Divided Cannot Stand!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 23 July 2012 at 09:11