WTF!!! a Woman was beaten to a pulp because she is gay

[bigdarryl]

Lock that motherfucker up and throw away the damn key these pictures are HORRIFYING!!!! http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/11/26/1164854/-AL-lesbian-viciously-beaten-by-girlfriend-s-brother-in-horrific-Thanksgiving-Day-hate-crime

[ZombieHorde]

1. Disturbing. nt

[Whovian]

2. OMG. This is a travesty in so many ways. Please keep this kicked.

There's a link at the bottom to help with uninsured medical costs if one is so inclined.

[The Traveler]

3. If it wasn't a hate crime then what was it?

Stepping back away from the keyboard now. I have learned not to post when I am this pissed off. I'll go work out on the punching bag. Need to hit something. And someone needs to put this asshole away for attempted murder, at the very least.

Trav

[UnrepentantLiberal]

4. Yeah, not a hate crime in Alabama.

Sign the petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/mobile-county-alabama-prosecutor-bring-travis-hawkins-jr-to-justice

[SheilaT]

5. Sometimes I think that trying to classify something as a hate crime

is counter productive. Beating someone like this should simply be wrong. Period. No exonerating circumstances. Nothing at all makes it okay.

What's not clear from the article is if the attacker is in jail at this point. He certainly should be. He should be in jail simply for beating up someone like this. The victim's sexual orientation is completely irrelevant.

[Maven]

6. It wasn't irrelevant to the person who beat her almost to death.

It wasn't irrelevant to the many other people who hate her and everyone like her, and who might be emboldened by this incident to attack others like her.

And most of all, it isn't irrelevant to the many other people like her, like me, who fear something like this could happen to us because something like it just did.

It isn't irrelevant and it shouldn't be thought of as irrelevant.

Ask yourself: would you feel the same if the attack were motivated by her race? Her gender?

[AtheistCrusader]

14. I agree with SheliaT to a degree, with one exception.

I would classify it as terrorism.

I don't care if he 'hated' her. I care that this was not just a vicious assault, I care that it is one way or another, intended to terrorize a group of people. It was a message.

The attacker is a terrorist. So, I just drop the 'hate crime' stuff, I call it what it is. Terrorism.

[SheilaT]

22. I also don't like calling it terrorism.

My point is that no matter what the motive, this sort of thing should be punished severely. It doesn't matter that you personally hate gay people or Muslims or you think those with red hair are the spawn of the devil. NOTHING gives you permission to do this.

Maybe the way I should express my thinking is to say that any assault of any kind needs to be regarded as a serious offense. The very fact that many feel that we actually do need hate crime laws shows that the current laws are either far too weak or are simply not being enforced properly.

Oh, and I do hope the victim here and her family push a civil suit against the perpetrator, no matter what happens in the criminal court.

[AtheistCrusader]

32. The injuries to the victim aren't the only crime.

This sort of act terrorizes an entire group of people. The motive for the injuries is the clue. He didn't attack her because he wanted her wallet, or because she was a Patriots fan, it was because she is gay, and involved with his sister.

Grievous as her injuries are, she is not the only victim of that sort of attack. That is why the scope of the charge must be expanded to society in general on top of the direct assault he perpetrated upon her.

[OriginalGeek]

47. Thank you.

I am kind of embarrassed to admit how much I just learned. I should have already known it. So thank you.

[LeftyMom]

28. The point is that a hate crime is an attempt to create fear in an entire community.

If I key your car because you're in my parking space, you're the only victim. If I key slurs into it everybody that slur could apply to wonders if they're safe in the area. The impact is different. Anyhow, the law takes intent into account all of the time.

[backscatter712]

46. Like I said just below, a hate crime is two crimes in one. n/t

[backscatter712]

43. No. A hate crime is actually two crimes.

The first crime (duh) is the beating itself.

The second crime is intimidation, against everyone in the LGBT community, because this person was attacked for being gay.

All hate crimes are actually two crimes in one, which is why they should be punished more severely.

[proReality]

7. You can't do something that horrendous to someone unless you are filled with hatred. n/t

[Uncle Joe]

8. He should be sent to prison for a very long time.

Thanks for the thread, bigdarryl.

[Texin]

9. These kinds of sick fucks don't think they've done anything remotely wrong.

They believe what they're doing is righteous. Men beat up on women in the name of the lord doncha ya know.

[riderinthestorm]

10. I can't bear to open the link. I know I'll be furious and damn upset for the rest of the day

But I will K&R this so the story stays up at the top for everyone else on DU.

[barbtries]

12. me too.

but i signed the petition.

[patrice]

11. I saw those. Broken eye-socket, jaw broken in several places, they hit her HARD in the face A LOT!!!

I can't look again.

I'm hoping her community comes around her and seeks justice.

Sat nam!

p

[geckosfeet]

13. Can't bear to look after seeing comments in your posts, But from what has

been written this should be a hate crime. Can't the feds step in?

[99Forever]

15. It's beyond sad.

WTF is wrong with this Nation?

If that isn't a hate crime, then there are none. Why is this horse's ass of a prosecutor not being run out of office?

[AtheistCrusader]

17. That state has no laws he can use for that purpose.

He can't invent laws. He can (and possibly has) maybe send a memo to the FBI and have them come investigate it as a civil rights or federal hate crime.

He can only use the tools the state legislature has given him.

[yellowcanine]

20. BS. They have laws against attempted murder.

If charged with attempted murder the perp could be held without bail.

[AtheistCrusader]

34. And he could then walk scot free if the prosecutor cannot support that charge.

He can bring additional charges later, if necessary. Or, the Feds can take it off his hands entirely and go for the charges he cannot bring at all.

Remember what state this is in, and what sort of predisposition the jury he is likely to receive will have.

[yellowcanine]

48. He can charge him with lesser and more serious charges at the same time.

Charges can be dropped as well as added. I think he is a chicken shit prosecutor for not charging him with enough to hold him without bail.

[99Forever]

25. You're probably right.

It's just hard to fathom that a crime such as this doesn't warrant harsher penalties.

[AtheistCrusader]

36. His ass would be in deep shit in my state.

We have statutes that would bring felony and civil charges against him for this, statutes that have withstood constitutional challenges under 'free speech' (cross burning) and 'vagueness'.

[99Forever]

39. As it should be Nationwide.

Hopefully the Feds will step in and do something.

If only the scumbucket had got caught smoking pot...


... but that's another thread.

[AgingAmerican]

16. Republican talking points in action

Sickening

[Zorra]

18. Every LGBT person has to consider the possibility that s/he may be assaulted

every time they leave their home.

Most straight folks understand that there is a considerable amount of hatred for us out there. Women generally have a better sense of what it's like to always have to be concerned about possible assault, because of the possibility of being raped.

What most straight folks probably don't realize is how much it impacts our lives. I am aware that I may be assaulted or murdered by some wacko homophobe any time I leave my home, no matter where I go, simply because I am LGBT. I think about the possibility that someone might vandalize my home or vehicle because I am LGBT.

I really don't want to have to be concerned about these things, but these things are a fact of life for me.

Part of our struggle for equality is the struggle to be free from this type of terrorism.

This hate inspired attempt to murder Mallory is just one more horrible instance out of so many in the long and continuing sad story of acts of violence committed on LGBT persons. Please help us make it stop.

[sabrina 1]

26. I'm so sorry Zorra.

To even think that you need to have these fears is reprehensible in a so-called civilized society. My heart goes out to you and I do not doubt for a minute what you say.

And am more than willing to try to help end it in any way I can.

[Zorra]

33. Thanks, sabrina1. The unbridled savagery of the beating inflicted on Mallory

is a perfect example of the festering violence and hatred that exists in the hearts of ignorant homophobes.

Those of us who are LGBT are very aware of how frequent these savage beatings and murders occur because they directly effect our community and are reported in the LGBT oriented publications that many of us read.

There is a lingering sadness, horror, anger, and outrage, and each time we read about another beating or murder of a member of our community, or another LGBT child bullied to death, it just about makes us physically ill. And we all know that we could be next.

This is the direct result of homophobia:


Sometimes, here at DU, it appears to some of us that some posters believe that we overreact to what they perceive as "a little harmless homophobia", that we are silly when we insist that homophobic slurs in posts be universally discouraged.

But none of it is harmless. It all adds up to one big whole of hatred and harm.

[sabrina 1]

51. Omg, I had not clicked the link, but people should look at the results of this vile hatred.

That poor woman, I can't imagine her pain, emotional as well as physical as there is no assurance that she will be safe from this happening again. I do not doubt your statements at all, I have seen the hateful, ignorant statements even of people who are elected to high office in this country. A first step would be to make such people ineligible for any elected office. It's more than sad that this has not already happened.

This vicious criminal should be charged with attempted murder, it seems he has not been so far, and kept away from the public for as long as the law allows. And his hatred and viciousness should be made an example of as a lesson for others who may harbor similar sick proclivities.

My SO's uncle, who died recently was Gay. He never felt safe enough to live openly as a Gay man, which made me sad. But I understood his fears of doing so.

I wish I could assure that you are wrong, but I know you are not. Let us know what we can do to help eradicate this sickness from our society. If it's any comfort to you, there are many people who want to do that but often don't know how. Take care of yourself. You are one of those on DU for whom I have always had the most respect.

[yellowcanine]

19. So why is this not attempted murder and the perp held without bail?

What is to stop this brute from attacking someone else or even going to the hospital and attacking the victim again?

[Jersey Devil]

21. Prosecutor definitely should press for attempted murder

especially since the story linked to the OP says she was attacked by him before, hit on the head with a pipe wrench.

I checked the Alabama statutes and second degree assault, the current charge, is a Class C felony punishable by a sentence of a minimum 1 year and 1 day to a maximum 10 years in prison. For what this lunatic did that seems to me to be a grossly inadequate penalty.

In most states the ultimate charge is determined by a Grand Jury. Of course a GJ will usually indict for the charge recommended by a prosecutor, but a GJ that has served for a while sometimes acts independently of the prosecutor and might charge him with attempted murder even if not recommended by the prosecutor. I am hoping that happens in this case.

[yellowcanine]

23. And why is it not First Degree Assault?

Code of Alabama, First Degree Assault Definition includes:

(2) With intent to disfigure another person seriously and permanently, or to destroy, amputate or disable permanently a member or organ of his body, he causes such an injury to any person; or

(3) Under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, he recklessly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to another person, and thereby causes serious physical injury to any person; or


http://law.onecle.com/alabama/criminal-code/13A-6-20.html

[atreides1]

27. Have to prove intent

And I have some very serious doubts that the members of his family, the only witnesses, will actually testify against him! When the father shot the son, charges were dropped because the prosecutor couldn't find any family member willing to testify.

[AtheistCrusader]

38. Not to mince words, but that family is fucked up.

[former-republican]

41. No shit

That family sounds like they are out of their minds.
Father shot his son last year.

[yellowcanine]

44. The extent of the injuries done with his fists go a long way toward proving intent.

He clearly was trying to maim this woman if not kill her. You don't have to prove intent to charge him. The prosecutor should have enough for the charge and the basis for a strong case going to court. Family members aren't immune from testifying against him. Just his wife. You put them on the stand and treat them as a hostile witness. May even get a plea bargain from some of them if you threaten to charge them as accomplices - which seems at least a possibility.

[Lex]

57. Intent can be inferred by the severity of the injuries. It took a while to beat her

to that extent.

Intent can't usually be directly proved but can be inferred from surrounding facts/circumstances.

[gollygee]

24. OMG

I don't understand how people can do this.

[Quantess]

29. Only 2nd degree assault?

How about attempted murder, is more like it.

[hrmjustin]

30. So sad.

[yardwork]

37. She's not dead.

[hrmjustin]

40. Thanks maybe i need to clean my glasses.

[4_TN_TITANS]

31. That's scary, especially when your own daughter

is a lesbian. But, she is smart enough to avoid a dangerous situation, especially with a heads-up.
Throw away the key is right.

[former-republican]

35. Sounds like a wonderful family

[moobu2]

42. The victim talked to a local news station today and said she didn' think the beating was because she

Owens is out of the hospital and back at the home where she was allegedly beaten by 18-year-old Travis Hawkins, Jr. on Thanksgiving Day.

Owens said she doesn't remember much of that night. However, she said she doesn't think she was attacked because she is gay, despite what her mother Kristi Taylor told FOX10 News Monday.

"No, it was just a bad night. I honestly don't think that is what he thought, ‘Hey, you're gay so I am going to do this to you,’” said Owens.

Owens is dating the sister of Travis, Ally Hawkins. The two women share an apartment.
Ally Hawkins said she doesn’t believe her brother attacked Owens because she is gay either.
"No, this is not a hate crime. We both know why it happened. That will come out, but not at this time. It is very humiliating," said Ally Hawkins.
Owens said she doesn't feel scared about being there.
"No, they are a normal family," said Owens. "I wish this wouldn't have happened, but I don't hate her brother or her family."

http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/local_news/mobile_county/victim-denies-beating-happened-because-she-was-gay

[Lex]

49. Whether or not it was because she is gay, he needs to be charged with

attempted murder. How can anyone say that he didn't try to kill her if they see what he did to her?

[Democratopia]

52. Agreed. There is probably a lot more to this story, but you are right,

this should be classified as attempted murder. He did not give a damn if she survived or if she was brain damaged.

[sheshe2]

58. "No, they are a normal family," said Owens.

Dear God this crime is horrific...for what ever reason that it happened! That girl was brutally beaten.

However if she thinks almost getting beaten to death by the brother is a "normal family", I just don't know how to respond to that.

According to the article...it said that the family just stood there. Another question? Where was the girlfriend while this beating was happening. Something reeks here big time. Is someone being protected. If so for what reason.

The pictures of Owen's not only made me sick...it horrified me that another person could just stand there and systematically destroy her face.

What the hell happened?

[Zorra]

59. Mallory's family seems very sure it was a hate crime.

But maybe she just fell, and hit her face on a doorknob.

Owens' family claims the attack happened simply because she is a lesbian and in a relationship with Hawkins' sister. And this is allegedly not the first time Hawkins has assaulted Owens. According to her family, Hawkins hit her over the head with a pipe wrench earlier in the year, for which they did not pursue charges.

Her mother, undoubtedly remembering the previous attack, begged her not to go to Thanksgiving dinner at the Hawkins home.

She was invited over by the family to eat Thanksgiving. I did not want her to go, I begged her not to go, knowing how the family felt about her. But she said, "They're trying to be nice."

"A hate crime as defined by law in the State of Alabama does not cover gay and lesbian rights. So that would be a federal charge that would need to be brought against the defendant, and that would be the U.S attorney's office,” Rich told Fox10.

'Mallory would never do anything to hurt anyone."

[Ash_F]

45. Apparently, she is out of the hospital and staying at the ATTACKER'S house

Not sure I even believe this, but there is a picture. Where is the young man?

http://www2.wkrg.com/news/2012/nov/27/mallory-owens-out-hospital-ar-5056341/

[sheshe2]

60. I don't give a damn if it was a hate crime or not (re: article)

he should be go to trial for attempted murder!

[AlinPA]

50. Doesn't the bible have a part in it that says that this beating is OK?

[Arcanetrance]

53. This makes me sad on so many levels.

All I can think about is my 17 year old niece who just came out to be me I'm the first to know and she's afraid to tell anyone else in the family for fear of their reaction why does someone's sexuality change the fact that they are human in some people's eyes

[Honeycombe8]

54. Whoa. That's horrible. That guy needs to be put away. He's gonna kill someone. nt

[mythology]

55. This is awful

But at this point it's too early to say that the attack was motivated by sexual orientation. The victim herself has said that she doesn't think that was the cause.

Especially given the family dynamics where apparently the father shot the son, I'm guessing there's a lot we don't yet know about this.

But whatever the cause, the charges so far seem rather mild given the extent of her injuries.

[lonestarnot]

56. Not looking! WTF is wrong with people!

[1620rock]

61. Sadists and Masochist??...what the hell is going on here?