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Kola
Moderator
Username: Kola
Post Number: 2593
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 06:40 pm: | 
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THIS BLACK MAN...should not be on Death Row.
I am trying desperately to find out what we as people can do about this.
The Strange Case of Cory Maye
By Keith Boykin
December 15, 2005 01:03 PM
in politics
Picture this. You're a black man asleep in bed at home in Mississippi. It's the night after Christmas 2001, and no one else is in the house but your 18-month-old daughter. You hear a loud thud and suddenly the sound of feet stomping on the floor outside your bedroom door. You grab your gun. A white man bursts into your bedroom with a gun. You shoot first. He dies. Is this self-defense or murder?
Let me add a few facts in favor of the prosecution. The white man lying on your bedroom floor is a police officer. Moreover, he's the son of the police chief. And his fellow officers say he identified himself as he was conducting a lawful warranted search of the apartment for drugs. Police say they found traces of drugs in the apartment.
But here are the facts in favor of the defendant. Even if the police officer did identify himself, the defendant was asleep and never heard it. The warrant the police used did not list Cory Maye as a suspect but instead listed a different suspect in a different apartment in the building. There were no drugs found in Maye's apartment that day, although the police later changed their story to claim that they found traces of drugs. The defendant had no prior criminal record. As a black man in Mississippi, he feared for his life and the life of his young daughter. Yet the defendant was convicted of murder by a mostly white jury and sentenced to death. The defendant, Cory Maye, now sits on death row.
Should Cory Maye Die?
The question is: Should Cory Maye die?
Radley Balko has been blogging about this case for some time, and Terrance at Republic of T convinced me to look into it.
Even accepting the police version of the facts, this case does not amount to murder. At worst, this is a case of negligent homicide, but even that argument is weak considering the defendant fired his weapon in his own home with the reasonable fear that his life and his daughter's life were being threatened.
For all the tough talk from the right-wing about the right to bear arms and protect your home, it's shocking that they haven't taken up the case of Cory Maye. Is it because he's young, black and poor in Mississippi? What if a rich white man in Virginia tried to defend himself against a mistaken police intrusion in his house? Oh, never mind, the police never seem to make those mistakes with rich white folks.
I'm not convinced Cory Maye should be in jail at all, much less on death row awaiting execution by lethal injection. For the record, I remain opposed to capital punishment in all circumstances, whether the defendant is Cory Maye, Stanley Tookie Williams, Charles Manson, Saddam Hussein or Adolph Hitler.
But this case is special. If you were concerned about the case of Stanley Tookie Williams, then you ought to be concerned about the case of Cory Maye. And if you weren't concerned about the death penalty for the founder of the Crips gang, then you ought to be concerned about killing a man who simply sought to defend himself in his own home.
Cory Maye should not be killed. No civilized society would execute a man for using reasonable force to protect his home and his family from intrusion. But then, is our society really all that civilized in the first place?
Warrant on Maye's residence (PDF)
http://www.theagitator.com/maye.warrant.pdf
Affidavit on Maye's residence (PDF)
http://www.theagitator.com/maye.affidavit.pdf
Facts on Maye's residence (PDF)
http://www.theagitator.com/maye.underlying.pdf
Post-raid evidence sheet on Maye's residence (PDF)
http://www.theagitator.com/maye.evidence.pdf
Warrant on Smith's residence (PDF)
http://www.theagitator.com/smith.warrant.pdf
Affidavit on Smith residence (PDF)
http://www.theagitator.com/smith.affidavit.pdf
Underlying facts on Smith residence
http://www.theagitator.com/smith.underlying.pdf
Post-raid evidence sheet on Smith residence
http://www.theagitator.com/smith.evidence.pdf
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*Thank you, Keith Boykin for bringing this to so many people's attention.
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Roxie
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Roxie
Post Number: 416
Registered: 06-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 06:48 pm: |
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--"No civilized society would execute a man for using reasonable force to protect his home and his family from intrusion."---
.......Except n the "good ol Us of A, land of the frickin' free."
;)
He is a perfect example of the black man that is starting to dissapear. Why didn't Jamie foxx promote THIS man's case? Was the former crip more commercially appealing to all the Whiggers? ;) |
Roxie
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Roxie
Post Number: 417
Registered: 06-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 06:50 pm: |
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On a less commentary note, What can be done to help him? |
Kola
Moderator
Username: Kola
Post Number: 2596
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 06:54 pm: |
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I don't know, Roxie.
I'm going to email his story to about 500 powerful black men I know.
And these are the big boys, including Farrakhan.
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Africanqueen
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Africanqueen
Post Number: 387
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 11:33 pm: |
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Kola, please help him... I don't know if I can..  ..
I'll keep him in my prayers tonight, maybe God will help the innocent this time ! |
Roxie
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Roxie
Post Number: 428
Registered: 06-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 07:52 am: |
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AfricanQueen, you gave me an idea.
We can ALL PRAY FOR HIM.  |
Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 1110
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 06:47 pm: |
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***Should Cory Maye Die?***
Is he married to, supporting, in a long term relationship with,
a black black woman???
Is his daughter the result of a relationship with a black black woman?
...If no to these questions..
why should I care any more than I would if he was white?
...So far, I don't.
Tonya
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Kola_boof
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Kola_boof
Post Number: 999
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 07:02 pm: |
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The mother of his child and girlfriend bears a striking resemblance to the mother on EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS.
She played Pam on "Martin".
That's EXACTLY who she looks like, only she has a strong Mississippi accent.
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Kola_boof
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Kola_boof
Post Number: 1000
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 07:04 pm: |
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I guess that's "Pecan" colored.
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Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 1111
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 01:05 am: |
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Tasheena Arnold (sp) "Pam" is darkskinned, chocolate brown.
If his longtime girlfriend and mother of his child (before he went to prison -- not after, that doesn't count) is the same complexion as Tasheena Arnold, and she looks like her.. no -- Cory Maye shouldn't die.
Tonya
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Roxie
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Roxie
Post Number: 434
Registered: 06-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 06:42 am: |
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Tonya, whose worse?
A man who killed protecting his family......... or a gangleader who killed for mere loyalty and turf?
Which is more honorable and less deserving of such an unfair punishment?
Seriously, how many white men ,especially cops (!), have we seen kill in self defense and get off scot-free? |
Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 1113
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 01:54 pm: |
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***Tonya, whose worse? A man who killed protecting his family......... or a gangleader who killed for mere loyalty and turf?***
A colorist black man..
for not protecting his racial family.. yet cries racism each time his adopted family turns against him
-- not saying men like that need to die --
just saying, if they do, why should I care? That's all.
Tonya
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Roxie
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Roxie
Post Number: 438
Registered: 06-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 06:25 pm: |
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I'm sorry but deciding on whether a man should die on the basis of his wife's skin color is a bit trivial IMO. First I'm still very unclear as to what you consider darkskin, you eliminate A LOT of people from the category. Second, I can find judging preferences okay if we were taking about a rapper or a man facing 30 years, but here a man's life is at stake.
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Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 1115
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 09:34 pm: |
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***First I'm still very unclear as to what you consider darkskin, you eliminate A LOT of people from the category.***
No, actually, I INCLUDE the MAJORITY of blacks.
***Second, I can find judging preferences okay if we were taking about a rapper or a man facing 30 years, but here a man's life is at stake.***
Well, Roxie.. it seems the act of judging is something that's ever present on your mind, for whatever reason.
At any rate..
I'm not judging.... I'm CLEARLY exercising my right not to care.
.. one of the freedoms we enjoy here in America...
which may very well set us free.
BTW, I consider people who are close to Tasheena Arnold's complexion darkskinned, as I stated in a recent post.
Tonya
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Roxie
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Roxie
Post Number: 441
Registered: 06-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 10:34 pm: |
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---Well, Roxie.. it seems the act of judging is something that's ever present on your mind, for whatever reason.---
Did you miss the "IMO"?I don't believe I'm the one being judgemental, esecially when I said "IMO". But if you feel offended, my apologies.
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Kola
Moderator
Username: Kola
Post Number: 2603
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 10:40 pm: |
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I actually think Tonya's attitude is what it may take to save black people.
I really do.
And, Roxie, even his girl looked like Jasmine Guy, I would still work my ass off to save his life.
But I don't see Tonya's hardlined self-preservation any different than what light skinned women and white women have been practicing against black women for centuries. Look at comments by Cynique and Nels.
So we need more dark women like Tonya who only support black men who support dark women. And raise their kids like that.
We'd begin to see the people get blacker---instead of more mixed.
I'm for it 100%.
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Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 1116
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 11:41 pm: |
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*I don't believe I'm the one being judgemental, especially when I said "IMO".*
I never suggested you were judgemental, dear.
But you're right about one thing -- you have the right to your opinion.. as do I.
***But if you feel offended...***
Honestly, I don't. No need to apologize.
Tonya |
Ntfs_encryption
Regular Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 42
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2006 - 12:51 pm: |
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Tonya wrote: A colorist black man.. for not protecting his racial family.. yet cries racism each time his adopted family turns against him
-- not saying men like that need to die --
just saying, if they do, why should I care? That's all.
Not exactly sure what all that means but it sounds very distorted. Perhaps you can elaborate on your definition of a “colorist man”. And your statement about his death being of no consequence is revealing. Details please.
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Ntfs_encryption
Regular Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 43
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2006 - 01:33 pm: |
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From what I have read of this story (as posted here), the conviction of this brother was obviously unjust and the concept of justice was totally absent. There is no doubt the death of a policeman, regardless of the circumstances, was something they were not going to tolerate. Three things are immediately obvious. One, the police manipulated the conditions and circumstances under which the cop was killed. Two, the prosecuting attorneys office was on board with the manipulation of facts surrounding the cops death.
How can you convict someone for “first degree murder” when the conditions of "premeditation" have to be proven? It was shown that the breaking into his house for a drug bust was a mistake. This lead to the cop being killed. If the brother had no prior knowledge of the police breaking into his home, up until the instant it happened, how could he have “planned” to kill anyone? Thirdly, he must have had very weak legal representation. The legal charges that were brought against him would not have stood in a more sophisticated city. His defense lawyers were obviously rookies that were burden with an overload of cases or just sadly inexperienced. Unfortunately, he did not get bro bono assistance from more effective and experienced defense lawyers. His conviction is obviously another sterling example of the failure of our justice system. I hope someone with legal savvy and a sense of justice picks this case up. I will pass it along.
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