David Bowie donates to Jena 6 Defense Fund

[Athena]

David Bowie donates $10,000 to the Jena 6 Defense Fund:

The British rocker's donation to the Jena Six Legal Defense Fund was announced by the NAACP as thousands of protesters were expected to march through Jena on Thursday in defense of Mychal Bell and five other teens. The group has become known as the Jena Six.

The protesters will march past the stump of a tree that became the focal point of the current racial tensions.

http://www.wdsu.com/news/14150353/detail.html

[Wichita]

It's his money to do with as he pleases. If, however, he wanted to make a statement, perhaps he should donate to the parents of the victim to help defray any unpaid medical expenses?

[Earlybird7]

I cannot imagine that a short stay at the ER would require the financial assistance of an international rock star. Please correct me but it is my understanding Justin Barker went to the ER (3 hours) received treatment for minor injuries and was released by the attending physcian. Clearly the Drs did not believe he needed to be hospitalized. In addition, if his parents had some further concern for his well being I would assume they would have kept him home after leaving the ER. Again I stand to be corrected but didn't his parents allow him to go out that very evening for a social event? If correct, the "expenses" of the victim would be minimal at best.

I have read in more than one place that his medical bills were over $12,000. That may not be much for some people, but for low income people, it is a lot. Most of the people in that area are not rich.

[Athena]

I have read in more than one place that his medical bills were over $12,000. That may not be much for some people, but for low income people, it is a lot. Most of the people in that area are not rich.

It may also be covered by medical insurance.

Regardless it is David Bowie's money to do with as he chooses. You have to remember his wife is black and he is aware of injustices that blacks endure and I can assure you these legal expenses are going to run well over $12,000 and I haven't heard of any of the lawyers doing this pro-bono.

No matter what your personal belief is about this case, it is certain that these students received harsh charges and are subject to unusual punishment for what should have been a misdemeanor. This case represents more than just these students in this case and I continue to see the issue being totally missed. This case is representative of institutionalized racism at best and every American should be outraged at the abuse of authority rendered. It is not only blacks that are subjected to this treatment by justice's double standards but every minority including poor white people.

I am in no way justifying the beating of one student by six; the 6 do deserve punishment but not what has been charged. I even look at the bail that was set and compare it to the Logan 6 that got charged with a violent, horrific act against the W Va young woman and that too is incredulous. The Logan 6's bail was set at $100k; the students ranged from $90K to $138K -- explain this one to me and that is for kidnapping, attempted murder and torture. Go figure. Had the bails at least been set lower they could have continued their schooling at least. JMO

[Athena]

I cannot imagine that a short stay at the ER would require the financial assistance of an international rock star. Please correct me but it is my understanding Justin Barker went to the ER (3 hours) received treatment for minor injuries and was released by the attending physcian. Clearly the Drs did not believe he needed to be hospitalized. In addition, if his parents had some further concern for his well being I would assume they would have kept him home after leaving the ER. Again I stand to be corrected but didn't his parents allow him to go out that very evening for a social event? If correct, the "expenses" of the victim would be minimal at best.

Correct and he walked into the emergency room; he was NOT carried in. It is not justified that six students jumped one but shouldn't be made into more than it was either. JMO

[One2Snoop]

I've read on a couple of different blogs that the medical expenses included an ambulance ride, cat scan and xrays. I've seen the figure $6,000 mentioned a few times. Nothing concrete to back this up - just letting you know what I've read elsewhere. I'm still looking for an "official report" of some sort.

[One2Snoop]

Here's what I've found - still came from a blog, but it says its quoting an article?? PM me if you want the link since we aren't supposed to link blogs.

Justin Barker was taken by ambulance to LaSalle General Hospital’s emergency room, arriving at 12:25 p.m., according to court documents. A report from the ambulance company stated Barker “denies any pain other than his eye.”

Once in the emergency room, Barker told medical personnel that he had been “jumped by 15 guys” and was unsure of what he had been hit with, according to the emergency physician’s record in the court file. The record noted an injury to Barker’s right eye requiring follow-up medical attention and injuries to his face, ears and hand.

A Computed Tomography scan of Barker’s brain showed no abnormalities, but there were reports of him losing consciousness during the attack, according to hospital records.

Barker was discharged about 2½ hours after being admitted to the ER. Later that night, he attended a ring ceremony at the school, where he was presented his class ring by his parents, something Kelli Barker said her son really wanted to be a part of, even though he was still in pain.

“All that keeps being said is that he was just in the hospital for a little bit and not really hurt,” Kelli Barker said of Justin. “I thank God he wasn’t hurt more than he was. But we have medical bills to show that he really was hurt.”

According to court documents, the initial trip to the emergency room cost $5,467

[Athena]

Too funny One2. I actually went looking for documentation and wound up reading other articles. Came back to post and saw you had already posted what I just read. :)

Here's the link:

http://www.pursuingholiness.com/2007/06/27/jena-six-justin-barker-testifies-at-mychal-bell-trial/

[Wichita]

I have no idea the financial situation of the "white boy" who obviously got what he deserved. I was simply posing the question in order to see whether anyone here actually wants to see two sides of this issue. Perhaps the "white boy" is poor? Perhaps his parents do not have insurance. Perhaps a little compassion for the victim might be in order as well? I wonder what his crime is, other than being white, in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm not saying that there isn't anything wrong with whats going on in LA. I'm saying that there are two sides to the coin. I found out what I need to know. Racism is an ugly beast, and is not practiced only by white people. This, of course, is just my humble opinion.

[Wichita]

Where is the abuse of authority? Why should it have been a misdemeanor? I see that you don't want the "6" to get away with assaulting the "1", but what if they are acquitted at trial? Would that be justice?

[Athena]

Where is the abuse of authority? Why should it have been a misdemeanor? I see that you don't want the "6" to get away with assaulting the "1", but what if they are acquitted at trial? Would that be justice?

I truly seriously doubt they would have been acquitted #1 so IMO that is a moot point. Now I'll throw a question out to you -- do you think someone should be in jail for 15-22 years for this crime? Pedophiles, murderers and rapists get less time than that. Let's be real here. The point is the punishment HAS to fit the crime and this was over-charged. I also believe the parents of the Jena 6 should be sued for the medical expenses incurred if they were not covered by insurance or state programs. JMO

[Wichita]

I certainly believe the punishment ought to fit the crime. I also know for sure that a charge cannot be filed if the evidence will not support it. I have no doubt that the victim did not suffer serious bodily injury, by definition, which is probably an element of aggravated assault or attempted murder. I have no problem with the charges being reduced to a misdemeanor if that is the proper charge. I also have no problem with it remaining a felony, if that is the proper charge, based on facts....not emotionally spun media accounts. I think you're opinion that the charges were too severe is being supported by the judge. I also think my point that there is a mechanism in place to counteract overzealous prosecution is also being proven by the judges decision. All I have ever said is that there are two sides to this coin. I wonder if the judge caved to the "outrage", or if he actually has some integrity?

[Angie1960]

I certainly believe the punishment ought to fit the crime. I also know for sure that a charge cannot be filed if the evidence will not support it. I have no doubt that the victim did not suffer serious bodily injury, by definition, which is probably an element of aggravated assault or attempted murder. I have no problem with the charges being reduced to a misdemeanor if that is the proper charge. I also have no problem with it remaining a felony, if that is the proper charge, based on facts....not emotionally spun media accounts. I think you're opinion that the charges were too severe is being supported by the judge. I also think my point that there is a mechanism in place to counteract overzealous prosecution is also being proven by the judges decision. All I have ever said is that there are two sides to this coin. I wonder if the judge caved to the "outrage", or if he actually has some integrity?

Glad you have 100 percent trust in our legal system - I'm sure there is NO WAY that black boys could be charged with a crime more serious than is called for. Lord knows how fairly justice has been meted out to the young black polulation in this country. I mean this white boy has freedom of speech he can say anything he wants to the blacks and all his white friends should be proud to harass these boys and to hang nooses for these boys to see. Certainly it was just a childish prank - yes you are right - we should take up a fund for the white boy who chose to hang with racists - it's his right as a white american - and it's the black boys' rights to have a speedy trial where there is just NO CHANCE of being unfairly prosecuted - that just doesn't happen to blacks in this country.
:punch:

[Angie1960]

Just to be clear - I'm white (on the outside)

[rachelslaw]

I truly seriously doubt they would have been acquitted #1 so IMO that is a moot point. Now I'll throw a question out to you -- do you think someone should be in jail for 15-22 years for this crime? Pedophiles, murderers and rapists get less time than that. Let's be real here. The point is the punishment HAS to fit the crime and this was over-charged. I also believe the parents of the Jena 6 should be sued for the medical expenses incurred if they were not covered by insurance or state programs. JMO

Good Points. The punishment does have to fit the crime. The Jena 6 are not innocent of assaulting the teen and should deal with the consequences, such as paying the medical bills AND doing community services. If the system were smart, the punishment would serve to rehabilitate and teach these teens how to resolve their differences without violence. It should serve to teach then consequences for their actions, but not to the point where the message gets lost in a long jail sentence.

If the final results is that these teens learn NOT to resolve issues with violence, then the lesson is well taught.

IMO

[WarmNCozy]

Just to be clear - I'm white (on the outside)

Me too Angie! I'm Irish! Fair skin, blue eyes! On the inside, I'm everyone on earth!

[Angie1960]

Me too Angie! I'm Irish! Fair skin, blue eyes! On the inside, I'm everyone on earth!

Yup - on the inside we're all pretty much the same - I'm German & French Canadian - I always wanted to be more "ethnic"