Couple will spend years in prison for terrorizing family

[BeckyDem]

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. - A young couple was sentenced to prison for their part in a racially charged crime.

Both wept as the sentences were handed down.

"Their actions were motivated by racial hatred," said Superior Court Judge William McClain.

A Douglas County judge sentenced the defendants to a year longer in prison than the state was seeking. He sentenced Torres to 20 years, with 13 to serve in prison. Norton was given 15 years, with six to serve. Upon their release, McClain ordered them to be permanently banished from Douglas County.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/couple-sentenced-for-hate-crime-involving-confederate-flags/497957531

[metroins]

1. That's a lot of time

When no physical injury occurred.

I don't know the evidence though, only what was in the news reports.

[guillaumeb]

2. They did freely choose to do what they did.

Actions have consequences. Unless one is a rich con man like Trump.

[metroins]

4. I've seen manslaughter and rape get less

Seems excessive at face value.

[guillaumeb]

5. What did you think of their conduct?

it also seems excessive.

Unless of course, there are extenuating circumstances. But one would think that any such circumstances would have been raised in the trial.

[BeckyDem]

10. Perhaps those cases were not taken seriously when sentenced. That doesn't mean we

should consider this case to be excessive.

[BeckyDem]

3. They were organized about it.

After the arrests, investigators looked through the defendants’ Facebook accounts, the statement said.

“Law enforcement was able to locate numerous posts and messages indicating that members of the group were white supremacists who discussed attending KKK rallies, joining Skinheads Nation, and making numerous derogatory remarks about African Americans as a whole,” the DA’s statement said.

Video of Monday’s sentencing shot by WSB-TV, a CNN affiliate, showed both Torres and Norton breaking down in court as Judge William McClain handed down the sentence.

Norton apologized for her role in the incident saying, “I want you all to know that is not me. That is not me, that is not him. I would never walk up to you and say those words to you. I’m so sorry that happened to you. I am so sorry.”

Hyesha Bryant, one of the people at the party, testified at the hearing and told Norton, “What you said affected my life. It affected my children’s lives.”

But Bryant ended up telling Norton that “I forgive you, I forgive all of you.”

A jury convicted Torres and Norton on February 6. They are both banished from Douglas County when they’re released from prison.

Fifteen members of the Respect the Flag group were originally indicted. The disposition of all their cases is unknown, but the district attorney said some of them pleaded guilty to similar charges and received shorter sentences.

http://ktla.com/2017/02/28/georgia-couple-gets-prison-for-racist-threats-at-childs-birthday-party/

[guillaumeb]

6. Great addition to the post.

This:

Norton apologized for her role in the incident saying, “I want you all to know that is not me. That is not me, that is not him. I would never walk up to you and say those words to you. I’m so sorry that happened to you. I am so sorry.”

Who could say: "that is not me", when she did what she is claiming is not her? She sounds as clueless as she is racist.

[BeckyDem]

8. Ramped up hate. One bad action leads to another, but they do not seem to understand

the fires they set in motion.

[guillaumeb]

12. True. Somehow they are not responsible for their own actions.

They see themselves as eternal victims even as they victimize others.

[SoCalMusicLover]

9. "I'll Grab Your Pu&*Y, But I'm Not A Misogynistic Pig"

BELIEVE ME!

[guillaumeb]

13. I do believe you.

I probably provoked you with my own actions.

[dalton99a]

15. Yep. They didn't terrorize just one family, and it wasn't just one day.

Douglas County Assistant District Attorney David Emadi detailed how the group had gone on the drunken rampage through Douglas and Paulding counties on July 24 and July 25, 2015, in pickup trucks laden with Confederate battle flags.

Emadi said the group threatened black motorists, yelled at them and walked up to one of their cars with a gun. They also threatened African-American shoppers at a Paulding County Wal-Mart and at a convenience store.

“Many good people in Paulding County saw you for what you are,” McClain said before he handed down the sentences. “Everywhere you went, 911 call centers were flooded with calls.”

[BeckyDem]

16. Terrorizing in an organized violent way. No other way to see it.

[DrDan]

11. they pointed shotguns at the family and threaten to kill them

seems just to me

[FSogol]

14. Perhaps, but they were terrorizing children, so the sentence is fine, IMO. n/t

[BeckyDem]

17. That's how I see it too.

[jberryhill]

27. I believe there was a firearm involved

Someone who pulls a shotgun out of their truck and points it at kids is clearly a dangerous person who needs to be removed from public until such time as there can be certainty that they will not do so.

Other persons in the incident pleaded guilty and received lesser sentences.

That state's penal system may provide for reduction of sentences if this guy gets his head screwed on straight, but we simply can't have people threatening children with lethal weapons going around in public.

[Chakaconcarne]

7. Good!!! A message needs to be sent to people that think this is acceptable.

[Blue_Tires]

18. GD thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028721301

[BeckyDem]

20. Thanks!

[LakeArenal]

19. It seems like if you actually shoot unarmed black people you get off easier..

[Sunlei]

21. Not long enough.A GANG truck convoy pulls up to a childrens party, yelled threats & used a gun

[BeckyDem]

22. Yep and where does the notion they are free to carry out their hate come from?

There is a real sickness there.

[Sunlei]

23. came from the same nazi who encouraged 'followers' to beat up dissenters, encouraged police to

'papers please' grandparents and mothers, the Republican who had a twitter account bot that placed the nazi-frog after every one of his tweets.

[BeckyDem]

24. He is making all the hate normal, that is one of my fears. Domestically he is doing a great deal

of damage and we're only a month in. His campaign began before he ran for president, the birther brigade and the Breibart connection have been energized by him for years now. I think people may forget that and why some dismiss the acts of violence we see and do not attribute it to his rhetoric. They are wrong!

[Sunlei]

25. on the positive side Republicans have lost a pack of votes. I expect many civil cases for emotional

damages on the victims.

Georgia. Individuals convicted of a felony are ineligible to vote while incarcerated, on parole, or on probation. Voting rights are automatically restored upon completion of all supervised release. Ex-offenders should re-register to vote. trump will be dead of old age before those republicans can vote again.

[BeckyDem]

26. +10!

I tell friends and family often, donate to the ACLU. Doesn't matter how much, every little bit helps.

[jberryhill]

28. "McClain ordered them to be permanently banished from Douglas County"

Color me surprised that's an option.

[luvMIdog]

29. hate crimes are terrorism

They deserved what they got