Racist Murderer executed 21 years after the biggest hate crime in US

[Denver]

One of three men convicted for the murder in 1998 of James Byrd Jr, one of modern America's worst hate crimes, has been executed in Texas.

Byrd, a black man, was beaten, chained to a truck and dragged for miles by three white men.

His murder prompted Congress to pass hate crime legislation in 2009.

John William King, 44, an avowed white supremacist, is the second man to be executed over the killing. He had filed multiple appeals in the case.

On Monday, the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole voted unanimously to deny King a commutation or a 120-day reprieve.

Last October, the US Supreme Court declined to take up his appeal.

King was pronounced dead on Wednesday at 19:08 local time (23:08 GMT) at the Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville.

Prosecutors depicted King, a self-professed racist with a criminal record, as the ringleader of the group of men who attacked Byrd.

Lawrence Russell Brewer, the other white supremacist who took part in Byrd's killing, was executed in 2011, although King had been sentenced earlier.

The third man, Shawn Allen Berry, was spared the death sentence and is serving a life term as he did not share the white supremacist beliefs of Brewer and King.

He will be up for parole in 2038, US media report.

In the early hours of 7 June 1998, in Jasper, Texas, Byrd, 49, encountered Brewer, King and Berry on the way home from a party.

The three men assaulted Byrd, then chained him by his ankles to the back of a pickup truck and dragged him for several miles until he was dismembered.

Police found parts of Byrd's body in front of a black church just outside the city; the rest was located over a mile away.

Authorities followed a blood trail of evidence - including a lighter engraved with "KKK" and King's nickname, Possum - placing the three men at the scene of the crime.

John William King seen escorted into the Jasper County Courthouse in 1999
During King's trial, prosecutors showed evidence detailing his hatred of black people, including a letter he attempted to send Brewer in jail glorifying their murder, US media reported.

"Regardless of the outcome of this, we have made history and shall die proudly remembered if need be... Much Aryan love, respect, and honour, my brother in arms."

King had spoken of starting a race war and of initiating members of a white supremacist gang he belonged to by having them kidnap and murder black people, court documents showed.

He was convicted by a jury that deliberated for just over two hours.

The case sparked nationwide horror and outrage, and in 2001, Texas passed the James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Act to toughen punishments for such crimes.

Congress followed, enacting the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 to strengthen laws against crimes motivated by a person's race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability or national origin.

King has repeatedly and unsuccessfully tried to appeal his case at the state and federal level. He has maintained he is innocent, blaming Berry alone for the murder, and arguing that his lawyers did not properly defend him.

Jasper's former sheriff, Billy Rowles, told KFDM News that King's execution would finally provide closure for the community.

"It's time... Most of the people in Jasper will believe this is the end of it."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48040916

[Niamh.]

Not a fan of the death penalty but that's a pretty horrific crime

[Denver]

Not a fan of the death penalty but that's a pretty horrific crime
When he was found he was dismembered, his Backside, Knees and Eyebrows were skinned to the bone and his genitals had been completely ground away.

It was believed he was alive for most of the time he was being dragged about

[Niamh.]

When he was found he was dismembered, his Backside, Knees and Eyebrows were skinned to the bone and his genitals had been completely ground away.

It was believed he was alive for most of the time he was being dragged about

jesus, that's horrifying, poor man.

[Livia]

Took them long enough. That is an horrific crime...

[Liam-]

This crime is the perfect example of why the death penalty is sometimes necessary and deserved, scumbags

[Cal.]

This crime is the perfect example of why the death penalty is sometimes necessary and deserved, scumbags

.

[Moniqua]

good riddance :clap1:

[Epic.]

Rot in hell to the piece of ****

[Tom4784]

This crime is the perfect example of why the death penalty is sometimes necessary and deserved, scumbags

Nah, the death penalty will always be inherently hypocritical. You can't react in outrage at a murder and then murder the murderer and call it justice.

I'd have much rather this monster had been left rot in prison for the rest of his days.

[Kazanne]

Just how low can humanity get, what mindset could do such a thing.That poor man.

[Marsh.]

This crime is the perfect example of why the death penalty is sometimes necessary and deserved, scumbags

How is this an example of it being necessary?

The murderer has been locked up ever since he committed his crime.

So what was entirely necessary for him to die... 21 years later?

[Livia]

This crime is the perfect example of why the death penalty is sometimes necessary and deserved, scumbags

I agree.

[Denver]

How is this an example of it being necessary?

The murderer has been locked up ever since he committed his crime.

So what was entirely necessary for him to die... 21 years later?

Because he showed no compassion, he still hated black people and was an unsafe person to have around

[Marsh.]

Because he showed no compassion, he still hated black people and was an unsafe person to have around

I gathered that lad. Kind of why he was in prison.

There's many psychos without compassion in the world.

You're showing him no compassion. Can I kill you?

[Livia]

You're an argumentative sod today Marshy. Haven't been eating stuff with E numbers in, have you?

[Kazanne]

I gathered that lad. Kind of why he was in prison.

There's many psychos without compassion in the world.

You're showing him no compassion. Can I kill you?

No,because Adam hasn't commited such a barbaric murder.

[Denver]

I gathered that lad. Kind of why he was in prison.

There's many psychos without compassion in the world.

You're showing him no compassion. Can I kill you?

Why should I should compassion for someone who attacked an innocent man and tortured him in horric circumstances because of his skin colour?

[Liam-]

I agree.

It’s an Easter miracle :amazed:

[Marsh.]

Why should I should compassion for someone who attacked an innocent man and tortured him in horric circumstances because of his skin colour?

Because you just said a man deserved to die for a lack of compassion and committing murder.

So now you're supporting murdering him with no compassion.

You see how it works?

[Crimson Dynamo]

Because you just said a man deserved to die for a lack of compassion and committing murder.

So now you're supporting murdering him with no compassion.

You see how it works?

its not murder im afraid, that is dictated by law and this was lawful - hence its not murder

[Marsh.]

No,because Adam hasn't commited such a barbaric murder.

No. He's supporting a murder though, under HIS conditions.

[Livia]

It’s an Easter miracle :amazed:

LOL... cheeky sod.

[Marsh.]

its not murder im afraid, that is dictated by law and this was lawful - hence its not murder

Wow ok. The word is different so that makes the killing of one human by another human completely different. Yeah, ok LT.

[Denver]

Because you just said a man deserved to die for a lack of compassion and committing murder.

So now you're supporting murdering him with no compassion.

You see how it works?

So you are saying he should be held in higher regard then the man he brutally tortured?

I'm sorry I would have tortured him back.

He is a risk to society and a risk to known white prisoners or guards

[Nicky91]

i don't know what to think of this, he already served his punishment long time behind bars

i guess based upon how cruel his crime was, death penalty might've been a good choice but life sentence without any chance of parole would've also just been a good option, letting him rot behind bars for the rest of his life

[Livia]

You commit a crime, you get punished. In this case the crime was serious enough for him to have his life ended. That is not murder. The moral of this story is, don't be a filthy racist murderer, and you won't have to face a death sentence yourself.

There are innocents all over the world dying, I'm not going to spend any time worrying about someone who virtually tortured a man to death because he was a different colour.

[Marsh.]

You commit a crime, you get punished.

No sh*t Sherlock.

You commit a crime, you get punished. In this case the crime was serious enough for him to have his life ended. That is not murder. The moral of this story is, don't be a filthy racist murderer, and you won't have to face a death sentence yourself.

There are innocents all over the world dying, I'm not going to spend any time worrying about someone who virtually tortured a man to death because he was a different colour.

No one's worrying about him. It's a general conversation about the death penalty.

You might not one to take part, no one's forcing you to.

[Marsh.]

So you are saying he should be held in higher regard then the man he brutally tortured?

I'm sorry I would have tortured him back.

He is a risk to society and a risk to known white prisoners or guards

Who held him to a higher regard? You just made that up?

You'd happily torture and kill another human being?

So, that makes you better than him how, exactly?

[Kazanne]

i don't know what to think of this, he already served his punishment long time behind bars

i guess based upon how cruel his crime was, death penalty might've been a good choice but life sentence without any chance of parole would've also just been a good option, letting him rot behind bars for the rest of his life

The thing is though Nicky,they don't 'rot' in jail do they,some of them get a lot of things they would not have on the outside.

[Marsh.]

The thing is though Nicky,they don't 'rot' in jail do they,some of them get a lot of things they would not have on the outside.

Such as?

[Nicky91]

You commit a crime, you get punished. In this case the crime was serious enough for him to have his life ended. That is not murder. The moral of this story is, don't be a filthy racist murderer, and you won't have to face a death sentence yourself.

There are innocents all over the world dying, I'm not going to spend any time worrying about someone who virtually tortured a man to death because he was a different colour.

if only it was that simple, but some are made a murderer, via a bad style of life, abusive parent(s) or being bullied at school/work becoming a loner

or mentally ill


i guess we gotta pay attention some more to some potential outcasts (same what they warn us for with possible suicide risks) if we can prevent people from going bad, evil and then into criminals, we can make the world a better place to live in


get some of those people the help they need in time from psychiatrists

[Livia]

No sh*t Sherlock.



No one's worrying about him. It's a general conversation about the death penalty.

You might not one to take part, no one's forcing you to.

I am taking part!

He deserved to die.

In my own opinion, of course.

[Denver]

Who held him to a higher regard? You just made that up?

You'd happily torture and kill another human being?

So, that makes you better than him how, exactly?

It makes me better because I want rid of people who are unsafe and have disgusting views, many people have been damaged by what he did I'll never feel sorry for him and I'll never stop wanting people like him dead.

It's not a crime being black so that man should not have bee treated the way he is

[Denver]

if only it was that simple, but some are made a murderer, via a bad style of life, abusive parent(s) or being bullied at school/work becoming a loner

or mentally ill


i guess we gotta pay attention some more to some potential outcasts (same what they warn us for with possible suicide risks) if we can prevent people from going bad, evil and then into criminals, we can make the world a better place to live in


get some of those people the help they need in time from psychiatrists
He was a full on racist part of the group KKK, he had a tattoo of a black man being hanged on his body

[Marsh.]

I am taking part!


:amazed:

[Denver]

If everyone read the story and saw the horrific injuries and what actually happen you would have more sympathy for the man who lost his life and the people left behind to deal with such a nasty horrible crime

[Marsh.]

If everyone read the story and saw the horrific injuries and what actually happen you would have more sympathy for the man who lost his life and the people left behind to deal with such a nasty horrible crime

Who doesn't have sympathy for his victim?

[Marsh.]

He was a full on racist part of the group KKK, he had a tattoo of a black man being hanged on his body

This is where I actually agree.

Terrible tattoos should be against the law.

[Nicky91]

The thing is though Nicky,they don't 'rot' in jail do they,some of them get a lot of things they would not have on the outside.

yes i've seen that, but some criminals can change for the good again

as seen in pitbull & parolees, of course they were arrested for lesser crimes, although some had been in prison for armed robbery, and want to be good people again

i like how they got dog training programs in some US jails now, it gives the inmates a chance to do something good for society, and working punishments are great punishments for the lesser crime inmates

[Nicky91]

He was a full on racist part of the group KKK, he had a tattoo of a black man being hanged on his body

that is what i call, seriously mental ill

and also KKK still exists yeah, but they aren't as big as they used to be, i've seen on investigation discovery, some of these hate groups similar to KKK search for new members online, outcasts, loners are usually targetted to join their group

[Marsh.]

Can I just clarify, I didn't call any forum member Hitler.

I compared the opinion of "They hold different views to me" is what got Hitler murdering everyone he didn't like/agree with. It's a perfectly valid comparison.

:) But I shall not use his name again.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Wow ok. The word is different so that makes the killing of one human by another human completely different. Yeah, ok LT.

yes it makes a big difference so stop trying tio misuse a word to sensationalise to try and work your point

The perp was killed by the state in agreement with the people - no one was murdered save the man killed by the perp.

[Marsh.]

yes it makes a big difference so stop trying tio misuse a word to sensationalise to try and work your point

The perp was killed by the state in agreement with the people - no one was murdered save the man killed by the perp.

Again, terminology doesn't change my point.

Deflect from it all you want.

[Tom4784]

Choosing to intentionally kill another person is murder, the death penalty is murder with a misplaced sense of justice. By supporting the death penalty, you support murder.

[Livia]

I'd be quite happy for the death penalty to be commuted to life in prison, so long as those prisoners are working - hard - for the good of the rest of the country. Maybe a treadmill to add to the national grid, maybe something more technical.... but so long as they work, 12 hours a day 6 days a week. Until they die.

[Niamh.]

I'd be quite happy for the death penalty to be commuted to life in prison, so long as those prisoners are working - hard - for the good of the rest of the country. Maybe a treadmill to add to the national grid, maybe something more technical.... but so long as they work, 12 hours a day 6 days a week. Until they die.

I think that would be a better idea, give back to society in some way

[Livia]

I think that would be a better idea, give back to society in some way

Yes, a kind of payback. Not breaking rocks, but something to benefit everyone.

[Crimson Dynamo]

I'd be quite happy for the death penalty to be commuted to life in prison, so long as those prisoners are working - hard - for the good of the rest of the country. Maybe a treadmill to add to the national grid, maybe something more technical.... but so long as they work, 12 hours a day 6 days a week. Until they die.

It would be a lot cheaper to shoot them and then spend the money on community projects and giving youngsters apprentiships

[Crimson Dynamo]

Choosing to intentionally kill another person is murder, the death penalty is murder with a misplaced sense of justice. By supporting the death penalty, you support murder.

incorrect

[Marsh.]

It would be a lot cheaper to shoot them and then spend the money on community projects and giving youngsters apprentiships

Shoot other humans to keep costs down.

And this attitude is better than the murderers themselves how? :joker:

[Tom4784]

You commit a crime, you get punished. In this case the crime was serious enough for him to have his life ended. That is not murder. The moral of this story is, don't be a filthy racist murderer, and you won't have to face a death sentence yourself.

There are innocents all over the world dying, I'm not going to spend any time worrying about someone who virtually tortured a man to death because he was a different colour.

Planning to kill another person in advance and then carrying it out is murder, is it not? Confusing bloodlust for justice doesn't justify murdering a murderer.

It's utterly hypocritical to support state sanctioned murder.

It''s not about the killer, it's about the death penalty and making out that people who disagree with the death penalty are somehow sympathetic to the killer is just a gross tactic for people who lack the capacity to come up with a sound argument.

[Tom4784]

Shoot other humans to keep costs down.

And this attitude is better than the murderers themselves how? :joker:

You always see a person's true colours when you see how they'd treat people who are meant to be lesser than themselves.

[Livia]

Shoot other humans to keep costs down.

And this attitude is better than the murderers themselves how? :joker:

You won't keep costs down by shooting people, bullets are expensive.

[Marsh.]

You won't keep costs down by shooting people, bullets are expensive.

LT needs another meeting with his accountant.

[Livia]

LT needs another meeting with his accountant.

Do Scottish people have accountants? I didn't think they'd trust anyone.... it's not just Jews who are mean you know.

[Twosugars]

Apparently life sentence is cheaper than death penalty process

[Crimson Dynamo]

Apparently life sentence is cheaper than death penalty process

LINK?

[Crimson Dynamo]

You always see a person's true colours when you see how they'd treat people who are meant to be lesser than themselves.

No you dont, you just made it up to make another personal comment

[Crimson Dynamo]

Shoot other humans to keep costs down.

And this attitude is better than the murderers themselves how? :joker:

it would be legal, marsh how many times do I have to make this point to you?, the death penalty is LEGAL, voted for by the peope - murder is illegal as dictated by law, voted for by the people

[Twosugars]

LINK?

Book I'm reading on history of the electric chair Old Sparky

[iRyan]

Death penalty is the easy way out. Make them suffer behind bars for the rest of their life.

[Marsh.]

it would be legal, marsh how many times do I have to make this point to you?, the death penalty is LEGAL, voted for by the peope - murder is illegal as dictated by law, voted for by the people

So? It's the death penalty I'm discussing. Explaining it is the death penalty doesn't change it.

It's "legal" in certain corners of the world to kill gays as punishment for their sexual orientation.

Are we not allowed to disagree with barbaric laws?

Humans killing humans should never be legal.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Death penalty is the easy way out. Make them suffer behind bars for the rest of their life.

They don't suffer. So now what?

[Marsh.]

They don't suffer.

One answer for every prisoner on earth is it?

[Crimson Dynamo]

One answer for every prisoner on earth is it?

So explain how they do. We are all ears

[Marsh.]

So explain how they do. We are all ears

You made the claim, you explain it.

You insist everybody else must explain themselves ten-fold, provide links, sources, statistics, pictures but you never do so yourself.

Tell us who doesn't suffer. You've obviously done your research here lad.

[Crimson Dynamo]

You made the claim, you explain it.

You insist everybody else must explain themselves ten-fold, provide links, sources, statistics, pictures but you never do so yourself.

Tell us who doesn't suffer. You've obviously done your research here lad.

Well what evidence do you have for suffering?

[Marsh.]

That's a no then? Thought not.

[Twosugars]

You made the claim, you explain it.

You insist everybody else must explain themselves ten-fold, provide links, sources, statistics, pictures but you never do so yourself.

Tell us who doesn't suffer. You've obviously done your research here lad.

Yup. Unsubstantiated claims without evidence, as usual.

[Tom4784]

No you dont, you just made it up to make another personal comment

It's true. People will nearly always do the right thing when it matters but they'll feel less inclined to hide their true colours when presented with an opportunity to do so without feeling like they are being judged.