An arrest has been made in the murder of white supremacist Richard Barrett.

[Shell Beau]

RANKIN COUNTY, MS (WLBT) - An arrest has been made in the death of nationally known white supremacist Richard Barrett, who was found dead this morning. His body was discovered at the back door of his burned out Rankin County home.

Sheriff Ronnie Pennington says 22 year old Vincent McGee has been arrested and taken to the Rankin County jail in Brandon. McGee was an MDOC inmate out of prison on earned release supervision. Pennington also says Barrett had been stabbed to death.

The well kept brick home with white columns was gutted by fire and smoke, but the flames did not break through the roof.

Neighbors told us there were spotlights around the house that were on as late as 10:30 Wednesday night and again this morning.




More...
http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=12357067

First thread on this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8197265



Already has a history, but maybe the jury will go light on him. Doubt it, but here's to hoping. Can't agree with killing anyone, but I can try to understand the reason behind it I guess.

[David__77]

1. He's a hero.

People's justice.

[Shell Beau]

3. I am sure some will consider him a hero. I don't consider

any murderer a hero, but that doesn't mean I can't understand his reasons behind it. I can't condone killing, but like I said before, Richard Barrett had it coming. It was only a matter of time.

[601Liberal]

112. I don't condone, but I feel no sorrow

This is right across the river from my hometown. Barrett's comeuppance has come.

[Fading Captain]

38. Have you lost your mind?

Murderer is a hero?

[David__77]

40. No I am completely sane.

He was an important ideologist and lawyer leading a movement of perhaps a thousand hardened skinheads and other racist activists. He was the core organizer and without him, they will be adrift politically - he wrote everything. He provoked violence against many people and did so in a smart way. Good riddance.

[cliffordu]

120. What you said, and I'd add:

Adios motherfucker.

[WildEyedLiberal]

42. The anti-choice movement says the same thing about Scott Roeder

This guy was a racist shitbag and I won't be shedding any tears for him, but when you start celebrating the murder of your political opponents, you better think long and hard about where that road leads. Down that way lies madness.

[David__77]

47. There is no equivalance.

You put the killing of an SS guard on the same plane as the murder of concentration camp inmate. What's the sense in that?

[WildEyedLiberal]

115. You don't seem to get that the opposition feels the same way

Equating your political opponents to SS guards makes wholescale murder very easy to justify. Not to mention that Holocaust analogies just make you look foolish.

[Maru Kitteh]

45. Just like some people believe Dr. Tiller's death was "babies justice"

In either case, it's hypocritical ignorant bullshit.

[Bluebear]

52. barbarian.

[Cid_B]

54. Next time someone complains about Scott Roeder...

I'll refer them to this thread...

[Socal31]

55. What planet are you from?

[David__77]

56. All this hand wringing for a fascist...

It is amazing to me.

[cali]

58. there's no handwringing for Barrett

that you don't get that speaks volumes.

[slackmaster]

81. That fascist was a human being like you, David

:hi:

[David__77]

102. Yes and no.

Yes, he was a physical human being. But he made himself something very specific and monstrous. And he had blood on his hands - blood of innocent people. I do not.

[slackmaster]

108. What crimes was Richard Barrett convicted of?

TIA

[Arkana]

89. The guy was still a human being and murder is murder.

If we're going to get indignant about Scott Roeder we should not be happy about this either.

[Dramarama]

116. agreed

[cali]

57. no. he's a murdering fuckwad

people's justice my ass.

[zbdent]

62. not any more than the guy who killed the "abortion" doctor is a "hero".

I disagree with your statement.

[MattBaggins]

66. He is no damn hero

He is a scum bag murderous thug just like the man he killed.

Hero my ass... this was most likely a prison gang ordered hit. Given that nazi/prison groups are often in the drug trade I wouldn't be surprised if that was involved either.

[Blue-Jay]

69. Does stupid hurt?

I hope so.

[sufrommich]

71. No he's not. He's a murderer. No matter how despicable the

person he murdered.

[Richard Steele]

72. Long story short, I agree. nm

[NeedleCast]

75. He's a murderer

Doesn't matter that he killed another scumbag.

[Name removed]

80. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Hosnon]

88. Wrong. Try again. nt.

[David__77]

99. OK.... I don't completely agree with what my original post conveyed....

I am not at all sorry and empathetic in response to the killing of Richard Barrett. Barrett was not just an intellectual fascist, but his actions had real consequences. He "legally" encourages assault and other violence against Black people, Latinos, gay people, on and on... I am intimately familiar with him and his particular "patriotic" brand of skinhead politics. He was smarter than most, as a lawyer, and knew how to technically remain just inside the law, at least by appearances. But people have been physically attacked and harmed as a result of his politics! We should not lose sight of that for a moment!

This was NOT technically "popular justice," at least it does not appear to be. It does indeed appear to be an economic or other petty crime, and I do not condone such things in any event. I DO however consider that the perpetrator was a Black person and that Barrett encouraged assault on Black people in general to POTENTIALLY be a mitigating factor from a moral perspective. Obviously, the perpetrator has a criminal background and should be rehabilitated if possible.

There is absolutely NO moral equivalence between the killing of Barrett and the murder of Roeder. One was an evil fascist conspirator, hellbent on an American-style "final solution" for non-whites, Jews, and homosexuals, while the other was provider of much-needed medical care, who stood on the right side of the barricades. In saying there is no moral equivalence, I do not advocate any such actions against fascists.

At the same time, when or if the fascists raise their hand to strike oppressed people, and the oppressed strike back, I know whom I support. It would be preferable if Barrett has been prosecuted and imprisoned, but our laws do not criminalize fascist agitation.

[Name removed]

114. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[closeupready]

104. That's about as foul a thing to post as I've ever seen here on DU.

n/t

[Forkboy]

105. Stupid beyond words.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

111. I am sorry this kind of horseshit is posted on DU

for Freepers to see. You are just giving them ammo, with this disgusting tripe.

[Confusious]

118. Over the top

He's a murder. Don't care which asswipe he killed.

Are you going to be naming the people's hero's now? That shit has a way of coming back around and biting you on the ass.

[Ian David]

2. So, will this be Haley Barbour's Willie Horton? n/t

[The Magistrate]

41. He Certainly Should Be, Sir

[slackmaster]

82. Sounds about right

Unintended consequences.

[Ozymanithrax]

4. If he murdered the man he should go to prison for the maximum possible sentence...

I oppose the death penatly.

[David__77]

5. Why the maximum? Why not the minimum?

...

[Ozymanithrax]

20. If there are no factors such as self defense, and the crime was comitted...

because the attacker detested the racist SOB, then it would qualify as a hate crime.

If a group of white supremacists lynch a black man, they should suffer the maximum sentence possible because they were motivated by hate.

If a group of homophobic redneck teenagers drags a gay man to death behind their truck simply because the guy was gay, they should suffer the maximum possible sentence.

The fact that the victim was a virulent racist doesn't give anyone the right to kill because he was a racist. If they murdered him for his beliefs, it is a hate crime and they should suffer the maximum possible punishment. In fact,the perpetrator should be tried under the hate crime statutes if that was his motivation.

[Dr Morbius]

68. No, sir. No.

A "hate crime" is a crime intended to intimidate a certain segment of the population, whether they be African-Americans, gay Americans, women, children, or whatever. The additional penalty assessed for a hate crime is assessed because of the intimidation factor. If a man gets henpecked so much that he decides he "hates" his wife and kills her, that's not a hate crime.

Now, this white supremacist, I shed no tears for him. But we cannot allow citizens to kill anyone simply because most of us think he deserves it. The guy who did the deed should get murder two, minimum, and possibly murder one. EOM.

[Ozymanithrax]

95. The murder of a white supremacist certainly intimidates that section of the population...

It, in fact, in intimidates even those who are not full blown white supremacists. Yes, white supremacists, anti-Semites, and other such creatures are despicable human beings, but in a free society they should have the right to spout their filth. They are protected. This crime was a hate crime, clearly intended to attack such thoughts and behaviors. It will have an intimidating affect, just a a couple of drunk rednecks kicking some guy to death because he (1) looks Mexican, and (2) is out with his brother, so (3) he looks Mexican and gay has an intimidating affect. (There is actually such a case right now). The rednecks did not have to set out to commit a hate crime. They were drunk off their ass and likely did not intend to intimidate every gay man or hispanic man from walking down a street in public, but their crime has that affect.

They man who did this should be prosecuted for a hate crime. He is every bit as despicable as the man he murdered. There is no difference between the two.

[Shell Beau]

96. ACtually it isn't playing out that way.

It was a dispute over something else it seems. He worked in Barrett's yard that day (or the day before) and was only paid $26. Not sure what else went down, but Barrett being a white supremacist doesn't seem to be the reason he got murdered.

[Ozymanithrax]

97. If he didn't off the guy for hate, then it would be just a crime of Capitalism...

and greed. Then the guy is just your old fashioned, every day, sort of murderer.

[WeDidIt]

6. If guilty, he's no different than Scott Roeder

Fry his ass.

[Shell Beau]

8. No, not fry his ass.

He will go to prison if convicted, but I don't wish the death penalty on him at all.

[WeDidIt]

18. We differ on that count

I support the DP.

[Shell Beau]

21. I can be conflicted about the DP. I am mostly against it.

But this would never be a case where I could ever condone it. If it has to be used (which it doesn't), then it should only be used for the grossest of the gross.

[WeDidIt]

25. I believe pre-meditated murder should be punishable with the DP

So under that, this case would be subject to the DP.

[Shell Beau]

28. I just can't agree with you on that. At all. That is a whole different

subject though.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

46. "punishable with the DP" or "mandatory DP"?

[WeDidIt]

61. Punishable, not mandatory

Each case has its own specifics. There should NEVER be a mandatory death sentence.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

64. Ah, so there ARE deliberate murders that shouldn't get the DP, only this is not one of them. Why?

What ticks you off especially about this case?

[WeDidIt]

67. If he's guilty of pre-meditated murder, he deserves the DP

If there are mitigating factors involved, such as the white supremacist doing injury to a member of his family or something similar, then life with no possibility of parole.

Each case is different and mitigating factors must be taken into account in all capital offenses.

[MattBaggins]

65. If they had a mandatory death penalty white people would actually die

Can't have that.

[zbdent]

63. actually, I would feel that life, no chance of parole is both more humane and cruel at the same time

the perpetrator would have to live out the rest of his/her life knowing what he or she did put them in the hole, and have to live with the results of their actions every freakin' day.

[applegrove]

31. right. He belongs in jail. Murder is murder.

[LiberalAndProud]

27. Yes. Except that he doesn't look like a petition-filing kind of guy.

He's familiar with the consequences already.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

44. This guy's victim was an evil person. Dr. Tillman was not.

Is this statement true or false?

[NeedleCast]

78. I understand what you're saying, but

You're talking about a moral equivalency. To the Roeder fans, Dr. Tillman WAS evil. If we start judging crimes based on whether or not the victim was "evil" we're getting into a mess that we'll never come out of.

[slackmaster]

83. Irrelevant

Neither murder is justifiable.

[Hosnon]

90. We don't know whether it is true or false. That's what the legal system is designed to determine.

It's similar to saying the President should have the authority to execute evil-doers. (Why not? They're evil-doers.)

[Xipe Totec]

7. A life has been wasted

And I'm not talking about Richard Barrett.

[Shell Beau]

10. Unfortunately, his life probably already was.

It seems once many get out of jail, they are sent right back. Not sure what he was in for before.

[Xipe Totec]

14. He was out, he had one last chance

And he wasted it going after that piece of shit.

It's just not worth it.

[Shell Beau]

16. I agree. I am not black and haven't been discriminated against

like black people have, so I can't totally understand what he must have felt toward this asshole. He may feel it was worth it. Who knows. He will be behind bars again though if convicted.

[greencharlie]

9. Barrett was a bad man...

and I'm not mourning his loss... but this loser (above) shouldn't be on the street. One animal preying on another animal...

[BlooInBloo]

11. Mississippi? Black guy accused of killing white guy? He's a dead man. Whether or not he did it.

[Shell Beau]

13. Not true. I live here, and I know this place.

People did not like Barrett or what he stood for. I was there when he tried to bring Edgar Ray Killen to the state fair, and white and black people were up in arms about that. And it didn't happen. This isn't MS circa 1965.

[BlooInBloo]

17. Where ya at? I used to live in Vicksburg. I miss the catfish...

but not much else.

[Shell Beau]

19. I'm actually very close to where this happened.

I don't like catfish!! I know! I know! A southern no-no!! Especially since I grew up in the delta.


I am not a big fan of Vicksburg by the way. It has it's pluses, but not many IMO. I did grow up on the river though.

[BlooInBloo]

22. wtf? Something wrong with your mouth? Who doesn't like catfish?

:P

[Shell Beau]

24. Yeah I know. Fish is gross to me. I wish I liked it because

it can be very healthy. Obviously not how we do our catfish down here, but in other places, it is healthy. It tastes like dead fish smell to me. And yes, I have had good catfish. Everyone tells me when I say that "well you haven't had good catfish then". Yes I have. YUCK YUCK YUCK!! I am so wrong for being a MS delta girl. The catfish capital of the world.

[BlooInBloo]

26. Well I suppose you catch enough crap for it from people down there...

No need for random internet dude to add to it. :)

[Shell Beau]

29. lol! I do catch a lot of crap for that. And the fact that I hate nuts.

I am not a picky eater either. Just fish and nuts. Ick.

[jxnmsdemguy65]

12. That's a shame....

why waste your time/life taking out scum like Richard Barrett?

[Texasgal]

15. I don't agree...but I understand it

It is what it is unfortunately.

[Shell Beau]

23. Pretty much.

:hi:

[liberaltrucker]

30. Mr Mcgee may have problems surviving outside prison

Many inmates do. If there's a silver lining to this cloud, it's
that he'll return to prison for ridding our gene pool of a
dangerous mutation. I'm sorry to be callous, Shell. There are
some among us who shouldn't be. **dons flame-proof suit**

[Shell Beau]

32. No need to don your flamesuit for me.

I am not saddened by his death. I am saddened about a murder taking place.

[liberaltrucker]

34. Murder according to the Statutes of the State of Mississippi

Karma, not so much.

:hug:

[The Straight Story]

33. Killing people we don't like is good and fun. It makes for a better Germany...err America (nt)

[Shell Beau]

35. No, it isn't right , but that doesn't mean it isn't

understandable at times. I can't and won't get behind murdering someone, though I can see the feelings behind it. That doesn't make it right, of course.

[The Straight Story]

36. Thing is - both sides of the spectrum seem to be the same on some things

Someone we don't like dies or is killed? NP and we celebrate it - then tell the other side how wrong they are when they do it.

There is no principle, just politics.

[Shell Beau]

113. I agree. I don't celebrate his death. I didn't celebrate Saddam's death.

I am not saddened by it however. I am saddened that a murder took place. I know that even as hard as it seems to me, this man probably had loved ones, and they are mourning his death. Losing a loved one is hard no matter how crappy they may have been. Is the world better off without that kind of hate being spewed? Sure, at least I hope so, but that doesn't mean it was right.

[Fading Captain]

39. Can you see the feelings of a pro-life guy who murders an abortion doctor?

Don't try to sympathize with a murderer if you don't have to.

[cherokeeprogressive]

50. Nnnnnnope. Murder is murder. If it walks like a duck...

[Shell Beau]

79. No I can't. I am not sympathizing with this guy.

Trying to understand why something happened isn't the same as sympathizing. As it turns out, this apparently had nothing to do with Barrett being a white supremacist.

I am not saddened by Barrett's death. I am saddened a murder happened.

[Rowdyboy]

37. Barrett called me looking for a legal secretary in the early 1990's....

I worked for the state job service way back then. After identifying himself (oh hell yes, I knew who the SOB was) he gave a job description and said...."and don't send me any colored girls". I had the supreme pleasure of refusing his job order and reporting him to the Justice Department (standard operating procedure for any discriminatory job order).

I was so proud to be able to refuse him. Just his slimy voice made my skin crawl. The world is a better place for his passing.

BTW the asshole was from New Jersey-not Mississippi. He just thought he'd find more like-minded people here and, sadly, he was right.

[Shell Beau]

73. That is very interesting.

Apparently now the story is the guy worked in Barrett's yard that day. Which was quite odd, as he'd never hired a black guy to work for him at all. So, this may have been more of a dispute about something other than his being a white supremacist.

[EFerrari]

43. I don't see any mention of a motive. Do they have probable cause

or did they just pick up the nearest black man out on parole?

[Shell Beau]

74. He was the last person seen with Barrett.

He worked in his yard that day, so I am thinking it was more of a dispute over something else other than Barrett being a white supremacist. It is getting weirder. Barrett had never hired a black guy before to work for him. Some are speculating that there was some "relationship" there. Of course that is speculation.

[thelordofhell]

48. Now I'm not sayin' he shoulda killed him..........but I understand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXJJFT9GZwY

[cherokeeprogressive]

49. Judging by the replies to the OP, we have become them.

Murder has a specific definition. As far as I know, murder has no specific justification. Murder is murder.

Go lightly because you "understand the reason"? My fucking god.

[The Magistrate]

51. Indeed, Sir

At this point, there is not enough information to form any conclusion as to motive, or even, for that matter, guilt in the person charged. Comment predicated on the view this man was killed by a black suspect because of his racial views is hardly warranted.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

60. Concur (n/t)

[David__77]

53. I don't care why he did it.

It could have been a random fit for all I care.

[piedmont]

59. I'm amazed by this thread. nt

[Shell Beau]

76. By go lightly, I mean I don't want him to get the DP.

But you may take it any way you like to. :shrug:

[arcadian]

86. What about when somebody drops bombs on innocent civilians from 35,000 feet?

That certainly fits your definition.

[David__77]

103. Excellent point!

People are so sympathetic and positively outraged at the murder of this fascist, but babies are killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the physical perpetrators are celebrated and honored?

[Hosnon]

91. I agree. It unfortunately shows that some on the left simply are just mirror images. nt.

[TorchTheWitch]

70. angry with Barrett over compensation for yard work

Lewis didn’t say if he thinks his stepson killed Barrett, but he said he knew McGee was angry at the man for a day of yard work at Barrett's home.

"He said he went down there and did the whole yard and pulled trees for him and he gave him $26," Lewis said.

http://www.wapt.com/news/23233039/detail.html

[Shell Beau]

77. Yep, that is now the supposed reason.

There are rumors going around that they had some sort of relationship. Just rumors of course, but what an odd turn of events if that was the case.

[TorchTheWitch]

84. relationship?

Other than being neighbors and McGee having done yard work for Barrett I don't know what you're referring to.

[Shell Beau]

85. It is speculation. I am good friends with the news director

of one of the stations here, and of course this is purely speculation, but some things have been said by neighbors and such that sort of point in the direction of them being more than friends, so to speak. I don't want to start rumors, so there is nothing factual to back it up. Just people talking around the neighborhood.

[TorchTheWitch]

93. ah, I see

In any case, whatever the motive it seems to have something to do with something personal between Barrett and McGee. Whether that's him being angry over the yardwork compensation or that was only part of it or whatever, it doesn't appear that Barrett being a white supremist had much if anything to do with it.

[Shell Beau]

94. That is how it is playing out so far. Time will tell.

[EFerrari]

98. How is that even possible. This kid has only been recently released

from prison.

This story stinks.

[Shell Beau]

109. 2 months ago, and apparently they live pretty close to one another.

People are talking. AGain, I said it isn't anywhere near proven.

[David__77]

101. Well, Barrett's political imagery always struck me as "homoerotic."

It was a particular male-centered politics that really had no place at all for the female racist, and was heavily focused on "physical culture," being "fit," "clean cut," etc. He would get very descriptive about these things in a way that struck me as odd or reminiscent of Ernst Rohm.

[fascisthunter]

87. I Seriously Doubt That's The Reason

[Catherine Vincent]

92. That is so sad

This guy has thrown his life away now. And this guy he killed wasn't worth it.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

100. Looks like a fine, upstanding citizen to me.

I'd acquit.

[Forkboy]

106. If guilty he's just another cowardly fuckwad.

Whether I feel the target deserves it or not is irrelevant. This isn't how things are handled, and just makes the problem worse.

Having said that, let's see what the evidence is (or let a jury see it at least). And hope for a fair trial.

[ecstatic]

107. Innocent until proven guilty... but with the trial being in MS,

I'm not too confident in their process.

[Shell Beau]

110. Why is that?

Edgar Ray Killen was convicted.

[FarLeftFist]

117. KARMA

[Cali_Democrat]

119. +1