Quote Originally Posted by Jaimecbr900
Sharpton Seeks Hate Charge in W.Va. Case

Published: 12/19/07, 9:45 AM EDT
By SHAYA TAYEFE MOHAJER

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The Rev. Al Sharpton called on prosecutors Tuesday to add hate crimes charges against the six people suspected of kidnapping and torturing a young black woman, and vowed not to give up the pressure.

"The best way to keep us out of town is to handle hate crimes the right way here in town," the civil rights activist told a crowd of nearly 100 people gathered at the First Baptist Church in honor of Megan Williams.

Authorities said three men and three women held Williams captive for days at a rural trailer in Big Creek this summer - sexually assaulting her, beating her and forcing her to eat human and animal feces. She was rescued after an anonymous caller alerted Logan County sheriff's deputies.

The case is expected to go in January before a grand jury, where the defendants face sexual assault and kidnapping charges. The kidnapping count carries a possible sentence of life in prison.

Prosecutor Brian Abraham has said state hate crimes charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, could be difficult to prove because Williams had a "social relationship" with one of the suspects, 24-year-old Bobby Brewster.
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Sharpton has no clue. He is rallying to be sure that they prosecute using "hate crimes" statues which carry a LIGHTER sentence than what the state is seeking which is kidnapping charges. How's that make sense? What is his angle? Discuss.
Sharpton is trying to deflect attention away from his own FBI/IRS investigation.