shape
carat
color
clarity

Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist threats

OreoRosies86

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
3,536
http://wtvr.com/2017/02/27/georgia-couple-gets-prison-for-racist-threats-at-childs-birthday-party/?utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=58b5130f04d301041617148a&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook

A Georgia couple who rode with a Confederate flag-waving group that made armed threats against African-Americans at a child’s birthday party were sentenced to prison Monday.

Jose “Joe” Torres, was sentenced to 20 years, with 13 years in prison, after a jury convicted him on three counts of aggravated assault, one count of making terroristic threats and one count of violating of Georgia’s Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

Kayla Norton was sentenced to 15 years, with six years in prison. She was convicted on one count of making terroristic threats and one count of violation of the Street Gang Act.

“Many people tried to make the case about simply flying the Confederate Battle Flag,” Douglas County District Attorney Brian Fortner said in a statement. “This case was about a group of people riding around our community, drinking alcohol, harassing and intimidating our citizens because of the color of their skin.”

On July 25, 2015, Torres and Norton, joined about a dozen other people in a convoy of pickup trucks waving large Confederate flags as they drove around Douglas County, a suburban Atlanta community. Most of them belonged to a group called “Respect the Flag.”

“The convoy of trucks passed by the victim’s residence where the victims were grilling hot dogs and hamburgers while hosting a child’s birthday party featuring a bouncy castle, snow-cone machines, and a DJ,” the district attorney’s office posted on its official Facebook page.

The party-goers said the people in the trucks yelled racial slurs as they passed, the statement said.

The drivers parked the trucks near the house, prosecutors said. Torres was part of a smaller group that “threatened to kill the party goers while repeatedly using derogatory racial slurs against them,” said the statement.

“Torres, who had retrieved a shotgun from his vehicle, pointed his shotgun at the group of African American party-goers and stated he was going to kill them while his co-defendants stated that ‘the little ones can get one too,’ referring to the young children at the party,” the statement said.

:nono: :nono: :nono: :nono: :nono: :nono: :nono: :nono: :nono: :nono: :nono: :nono: :nono: :nono: :nono:
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

Wow, at a childs birthday party? What class acts. How horrible for those kids :(
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

Rightfully convicted. There are a-holes everywhere.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

telephone89|1488301585|4134673 said:
Wow, at a childs birthday party? What class acts. How horrible for those kids :(

Yeah, super excellent role models. I'm glad they were punished for their crappy behavior.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

redwood66|1488302313|4134682 said:
Rightfully convicted. There are a-holes everywhere.

Ditto! :clap: :clap:

Jose “Joe” Torres, was sentenced to 20 years, with 13 years in prison, after a jury convicted him on three counts of aggravated assault, one count of making terroristic threats and one count of violating of Georgia’s Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.
Hopefully Madonna is held to the same standard. :pray:
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

Jenn, could you not bait?
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

JoCoJenn|1488304424|4134720 said:
redwood66|1488302313|4134682 said:
Rightfully convicted. There are a-holes everywhere.

Ditto! :clap: :clap:

Jose “Joe” Torres, was sentenced to 20 years, with 13 years in prison, after a jury convicted him on three counts of aggravated assault, one count of making terroristic threats and one count of violating of Georgia’s Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.
Hopefully Madonna is held to the same standard. :pray:

Political rally... child's birthday party. Yup, totally the same thing! :confused:
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

So, does the punishment fit the crime? I tend to think prison is only going to promote and introduce more racism, violence, and hatred into these people’s lives. Not sure what the appropriate action is here.

I know laws make these kind of "punishments" tricky and there are too many factors, but I wish these people would be under house arrest with a willing black family for a year and be totally dependent on them. See what happens.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

Elliot86|1488304512|4134721 said:
Jenn, could you not bait?

:confused: That wasn't 'bait'; it was clearly my opinion, and solicited zero response.

A fish would have to be nearly starving to bite on a 'sinker'. :eh:
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

Delighted that they're going to prison. This is a small piece of the white nationalist movement that has found a renewal since the election. If you are underestimating the movement and think the good guys will always win, read the Spring issue of SPLC's Intelligence Report.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

JoCoJenn|1488305317|4134730 said:
Elliot86|1488304512|4134721 said:
Jenn, could you not bait?

:confused: That wasn't 'bait'; it was clearly my opinion, and solicited zero response.

A fish would have to be nearly starving to bite on a 'sinker'. :eh:

I feel as though you are. This topic is not about Madonna. But if you'd like to discuss/answer the question I posed above, that'd be great.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

Elliot86|1488305218|4134728 said:
So, does the punishment fit the crime? I tend to think prison is only going to promote and introduce more racism, violence, and hatred into these people’s lives. Not sure what the appropriate action is here.

I know laws make these kind of "punishments" tricky and there are too many factors, but I wish these people would be under house arrest with a willing black family for a year and be totally dependent on them. See what happens.

I definitely think the sentence is inappropriate for the actions. Sentencing is so all over the map with all different kinds of crimes. I feel the manslaughter sentencing for DUI is far too lenient in most circumstances.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

VRBeauty|1488304952|4134725 said:
JoCoJenn|1488304424|4134720 said:
Jose “Joe” Torres, was sentenced to 20 years, with 13 years in prison, after a jury convicted him on three counts of aggravated assault, one count of making terroristic threats and one count of violating of Georgia’s Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.
Hopefully Madonna is held to the same standard. :pray:

Political rally... child's birthday party. Yup, totally the same thing! :confused:

A terrorist threat is not dependent on location. But as I noted to Elliott; it was just an observation, not intended to derail THIS discussion. :wavey:
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

redwood66|1488306420|4134739 said:
Elliot86|1488305218|4134728 said:
So, does the punishment fit the crime? I tend to think prison is only going to promote and introduce more racism, violence, and hatred into these people’s lives. Not sure what the appropriate action is here.

I know laws make these kind of "punishments" tricky and there are too many factors, but I wish these people would be under house arrest with a willing black family for a year and be totally dependent on them. See what happens.

I definitely think the sentence is inappropriate for the actions. Sentencing is so all over the map with all different kinds of crimes. I feel the manslaughter sentencing for DUI is far too lenient in most circumstances.

The problem I have isn't sitting in a jail cell somewhere (they absolutely should be) with no freedoms. It's the prison culture which fosters and promotes racism, gangs, etc. It likely won't help. When he gets out he will probably be even more hateful than he was going in. You're right, lots of differences in sentencing.

Don't get me started on DUIs. I think it's France where it is a zero tolerance policy. You drive drunk, you lose your license forever. Here if you can pay a ton of court fees, you're on the road again.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

Terroristic threats may have stemmed from the fact that they were white supremists (according to what LEO found on their fb page).

"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.”

Ugh that's so gross. Of course she's sorry now. Now that she was caught and getting prison time.

Side note, it says "Kayla Norton was sentenced to 15 years, with six years in prison." What is the other 9 years?
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

Elliot86|1488306653|4134741 said:
redwood66|1488306420|4134739 said:
Elliot86|1488305218|4134728 said:
So, does the punishment fit the crime? I tend to think prison is only going to promote and introduce more racism, violence, and hatred into these people’s lives. Not sure what the appropriate action is here.

I know laws make these kind of "punishments" tricky and there are too many factors, but I wish these people would be under house arrest with a willing black family for a year and be totally dependent on them. See what happens.

I definitely think the sentence is inappropriate for the actions. Sentencing is so all over the map with all different kinds of crimes. I feel the manslaughter sentencing for DUI is far too lenient in most circumstances.

The problem I have isn't sitting in a jail cell somewhere (they absolutely should be) with no freedoms. It's the prison culture which fosters and promotes racism, gangs, etc. It likely won't help. When he gets out he will probably be even more hateful than he was going in. You're right, lots of differences in sentencing.

Don't get me started on DUIs. I think it's France where it is a zero tolerance policy. You drive drunk, you lose your license forever. Here if you can pay a ton of court fees, you're on the road again.

You are preaching to the choir about prison culture. It does help some but for the hardened criminals it is a badge of honor and training ground. Sorry but those are best left where they are instead of on the street with you and me.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

Elliot86 said:
I feel as though you are. This topic is not about Madonna. But if you'd like to discuss/answer the question I posed above, that'd be great.

I'm sorry you feel that way.

You mean this question:
Elliot86|1488305218|4134728 said:
So, does the punishment fit the crime? I tend to think prison is only going to promote and introduce more racism, violence, and hatred into these people’s lives. Not sure what the appropriate action is here.

I know laws make these kind of "punishments" tricky and there are too many factors, but I wish these people would be under house arrest with a willing black family for a year and be totally dependent on them. See what happens.

The court determines the punishment, as they did in this case. Perhaps they did so to send a message to other haters.

Forcing a person to be under house arrest with & dependent upon strangers would be inappropriate and what I'd consider quite an 'unusual' form of punishment. Community service in a 'black community' would be reasonable, but how would you even really define that without sounding racist as all get out and reasonably incurring the wrath of people who don't want their community labeled by their ethnicity? :confused:

The above is all rhetorical. I think the court did the right - and legal - thing.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

telephone89|1488306868|4134742 said:
Terroristic threats may have stemmed from the fact that they were white supremists (according to what LEO found on their fb page).

"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.”

Ugh that's so gross. Of course she's sorry now. Now that she was caught and getting prison time.

Side note, it says "Kayla Norton was sentenced to 15 years, with six years in prison." What is the other 9 years?

Likely probation or work release.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

Matata|1488305365|4134731 said:
Delighted that they're going to prison. This is a small piece of the white nationalist movement that has found a renewal since the election. If you are underestimating the movement and think the good guys will always win, read the Spring issue of SPLC's Intelligence Report.

:appl:
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

"I'm sorry you feel that way" ok, but thanks for getting back to the discussion at hand.

I don't think it would be a terrible idea for an extreme racist to live with a black family. Racism has deep roots. Courts, fines, sensitivity training doesn't mean much. Being in an experience does. But then you run the risk of innocent people being hurt in the process so it'd be way too complicated.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

telephone89|1488306868|4134742 said:
Side note, it says "Kayla Norton was sentenced to 15 years, with six years in prison." What is the other 9 years?

The other 9 yrs is suspended unless she doesn't keep her nose clean. My carjackers got 15 yrs, and the judge suspended 10, leaving 5 yrs in jail, minus time served.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

Matata|1488305365|4134731 said:
Delighted that they're going to prison. This is a small piece of the white nationalist movement that has found a renewal since the election. If you are underestimating the movement and think the good guys will always win, read the Spring issue of SPLC's Intelligence Report.

This comment of yours is interesting since the event occurred in July of 2015. Hardly to do with the election. It seems more likely that it happened because of the confederate flag issue at the time. You can't blame everything on Trump much as you would like to.

:wavey:
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

This incident happened one month after the Dylan Roof incident that cost 9 people their lives. I am glad they are going to prison and received long sentences. This couple also has three children. With values like this I'm glad they will not be raising their children. This did happen before Trump took office but suffice to say It is a pretty safe bet who they voted for.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

Calliecake|1488308709|4134763 said:
This incident happened one month after the Dylan Roof incident that cost 9 people their lives. I am glad they are going to prison and got stuff sentences. This couple also has three children. With values like this I'm glad they will not be raising their children. This did happen before Trump took office but suffice to say It is a pretty safe bet who they voted for.


:appl: Exactly!
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

Calliecake|1488308709|4134763 said:
This incident happened one month after the Dylan Roof incident that cost 9 people their lives. I am glad they are going to prison and received long sentences. This couple also has three children. With values like this I'm glad they will not be raising their children. This did happen before Trump took office but suffice to say It is a pretty safe bet who they voted for.

And if I said this same thing about the blacks who beat up the mentally ill young white man and who they voted for? What does that have to do with this thread and what I pointed out to Matata?
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

While their acts are despicable and they deserve jail time, the punishment seems very harsh for the crime. Am I missing something? It sounds like all of their threats were verbal. Although pointing a gun at someone and making threats is a very very serious thing, so maybe it is justified.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

luv2sparkle|1488309191|4134769 said:
While their acts are despicable and they deserve jail time, the punishment seems very harsh for the crime. Am I missing something? It sounds like all of their threats were verbal.

It is likely because of the shotgun that was probably brandished.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

luv2sparkle|1488309191|4134769 said:
While their acts are despicable and they deserve jail time, the punishment seems very harsh for the crime. Am I missing something? It sounds like all of their threats were verbal. Although pointing a gun at someone and making threats is a very very serious thing, so maybe it is justified.

They were literally waving guns in children's faces and threatening to kill everyone.
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

Elliot86|1488307235|4134749 said:
"I'm sorry you feel that way" ok, but thanks for getting back to the discussion at hand.

I don't think it would be a terrible idea for an extreme racist to live with a black family. Racism has deep roots. Courts, fines, sensitivity training doesn't mean much. Being in an experience does. But then you run the risk of innocent people being hurt in the process so it'd be way too complicated.

:confused: Sorry, I'm not 'picking up whatever you are putting down' in your first comment (bolded); maybe it was a typo or something, or perhaps take it to the baiting or another thread, and we can discuss there if needed to keep this thread on topic.

I think your suggestion - while rooted in good intentions - would just be hard to legally implement and/or justify. Just my $0.02. :wavey:
 
Re: Georgia couple given decade(s) in prison for racist thre

JoCoJenn|1488312238|4134800 said:
Elliot86|1488307235|4134749 said:
"I'm sorry you feel that way" ok, but thanks for getting back to the discussion at hand.

I don't think it would be a terrible idea for an extreme racist to live with a black family. Racism has deep roots. Courts, fines, sensitivity training doesn't mean much. Being in an experience does. But then you run the risk of innocent people being hurt in the process so it'd be way too complicated.

:confused: Sorry, I'm not 'picking up whatever you are putting down' in your first comment (bolded); maybe it was a typo or something, or perhaps take it to the baiting or another thread, and we can discuss there if needed to keep this thread on topic.

I think your suggestion - while rooted in good intentions - would just be hard to legally implement and/or justify. Just my $0.02. :wavey:

EDIT: Forget it, I'm sticking with "cool."
 
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Top