Paris Texas (Lamar County) District Attorney’s office/Gary Young part of the problem, not the solution
Categories: African-American, Justice/Law Enforcement, Politics and Elections, Racial Issues
Written By: Shawn Williams
In Monday morning’s Dallas Morning News, Richard Abshire follows up on the death of Brandon McClelland in Paris, Texas. Two suspects are in custody for running over Brandon and dragging him after a night of drinking. Richard worked on this story for weeks, and though there’s not a lot of new ground here for Dallas South readers, there are some things that stuck out to me. Read Black man’s death reopens old racial wounds.
Here are a few excerpts:
- District Attorney Gary Young, who is white, said there’s no evidence that the killing was a hate crime. But his office welcomes any information on the case, he said.
- “Gary Young decided from the start it was not a hate crime,” said Brenda Cherry, who is black and a co-founder of Concerned Citizens for Racial Equality. “They’re not going to do anything to make Paris look bad. That’s the main thing around here.”
- “(The Shaquanda Cotton case) was a wake-up call,” said Pike Burkhart, who is white and president of the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce. “We don’t perceive ourselves as a racially divided community. We want to make sure we have more dialogue between our black and white communities.”
- Ms. Cotton spent a year in a juvenile lockup and was freed after protests alleging racial bias. Still, authorities insist they followed the law. “We did nothing wrong,” said district attorney spokesman Allan Hubbard.
- “The fact that they were white and he was black does not alone constitute a hate crime,” said Mr. Hubbard, the district attorney spokesman. “We can’t act on speculation, and there’s too much of that going on by people on blogs and elsewhere who are treating rumor as fact.”
Anyone in Paris, Texas who is concerned about the perception of Paris, Texas should point straight to the District Attorney’s office. Ms. Cotton is right, they have more interest in image than justice. I can understand the Chamber of Commerce or City Hall having this attitude, but it has no place in the court system.
What the Dallas Morning News article leaves out are the circumstances that lead to suspect Shannon Findley’s manslaughter conviction, a crime for which he served about two years. Let’s revisit those facts as told by the Chicago Tribune and Howard Witt:
- Lamar County District Atty. Gary Young, who five years ago, before he was elected prosecutor, served as Finley’s court-appointed defense attorney when Finley pleaded guilty to manslaughter for shooting a friend to death.
- Although the victim in Finley’s 2003 manslaughter case was white, race played a role in the incident. Finley told police he was sitting in a pickup with his friend in a park when two gun-wielding black men supposedly walked up alongside and tried to rob them. Finley said he grabbed his friend’s handgun and fired at the robbers, but instead shot his friend. An autopsy determined that the victim suffered three gunshot wounds to the head.
Before Mr. Hubbard points fingers at “people on blogs and elsewhere” he should look at his own office and how it distributes justice. They should also look into a report that I received last week of perceived swift jury selections that respect the process. Parisians should be thankful to “people on blogs and elsewhere” for helping to expose what could be easily be swept under the rug.
While “people on blogs and elsewhere” learned of the ShaQuanda Cotton case from the newspaper (reported first nationally by the Tribune), the newspapers (both the News and Tribune) learned of Brandon McClelland’s death from “people on blogs and elsewhere.” Who’s to say that this wouldn’t still be investigated as a hit and run were it not for “people on blogs and elsewhere?”
The flippant nature in which Mr. Hubbard -the D.A. office spokesperson- dealt with the media during the Cotton case was off putting to many. If his quotes in the Morning News are any indication, he hasn’t learned from . His CYA stragtgy may be good for the D.A’s office, but it’s terrible for Paris.
Back to the Shannon Finley manslaughter case. I have friends and classmates in Paris who spent years and years in jail for much less than putting a gun to someone’s head and pulling the trigger. Of course most of them were involved in the drug game and much of that deals with U.S. drug laws I get that.
But Gary Young and his team apparently went with Finley’s “two gun-wielding black men” defense. And look at the reward that you get in America for shortening the sentence of a murderer to manslaughter: District Attorney. Shannon Finley should never have been walking the streets, and were he black he would not have been.
I’m not bothered by the D.A.’s office reluctance to prosecute this murder as a hate crime, but I’m pretty pissed at how insensitive the D.A.’s office has been to the family’s desire to have it investigated as such.
I’m even more upset by the quotes this morning from Mr. Hubbard which follows a pattern that he set last year. And the fact that America can’t see a case like Finley’s as pure evidence of the unfair, racially biased distribution of justice in this country makes me sick.
Paris, you need to blame the D.A.’s office and your courts for the public relations fallout you are about to be subjected to. Not “people on blogs and everywhere.”
October 27th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
You are right on with this article. Thank you for your blog and continue to write. I will continue to read.
October 28th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Shawn - why don’t you give me a call at the office on Wednesday and let’s talk about your points. - Allan (and yes, it’s really me)
October 29th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Allen, good conversation today. Bottom line, I don’t think this was a hate crime, but I see why people think that it could be. I’m glad that all of the options are on the table and you and Mr. Young are open to all evidence that comes forward. One of these suspects should have never been walking the streets. That’s a fact that the entire city will have to come to terms with.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Shawn,
Why don’t you think it is a hate crime?
October 30th, 2008 at 6:22 am
Nick,
This is the definition of a hate crime that i found:
A hate crime, also known as a bias crime, is a criminal offense committed against a person, property, or society that is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin.
I think there are two parts to this case -and hate crime alone clouds the issue. These young men supposedly knew each other which clouds the hate crime case. So does the fact that the deceased went to jail for lying Finley. That also clouds the hate crime case.
Now I believe, that Finley shot his best friend -who is white- in three times. This is a pattern of how he treats his friends.
Now I also believe whole heartedly that Finley chose this method of death because the victim is black. I think that’s why he felt no remorse in doing Brandon like he did. But I -and Nick you know I’m not a lawyer so my opinion doesn’t count for much- don’t think that constitutes a hate crime by law.
I think trying to pursue this as a hate crime -especially by those outside the loop, not so much the family- taints the part of this case that makes me so sick and that’s that this dude was walking the streets in the first place. Now part of that is the juries fault, part of that is Gary Young’s fault who defended him, and part of that blame lies with another group of people who had already suffered a terrible loss at the hands of this man.
This is a race problem but not a hate crime IMHO. But I see why some others are pursuing that way.
October 30th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Is it ethical to prejudge the situation and rule out all possibilities including that of the suggested hate crime, without reviewing and assessing all of the facts first. You say that you are still trying to find evidence that would link to a particular motive but with your mind already made up without the facts that you need to back it up could be the reason that your professional opinion is questionable in this particular case. I don’t have know particular side in this case, but I do know that people simply want truth from the people that are chosen to be leaders in our communities. What type of response do you expect when you jump obviously defensive at their opinion to what they, too, believe has happened here in this case. You are asking people to respect your professional opinion, when all you have did is clearly totally disregarded theirs.
You don’t have to like what they say or believe as some believe, that this was a hate crime. However, in the position that you are in, you should respect their opinion and not allow your personal beliefs to overload your ability to redeem yourself if you are correct.
Hate crimes exist. Hatred exist. It has nothing to do with how close people are. People interact with one another everyday, People change from day to day. Just because I am around a person everyday does not necessarily mean that we will not turn our back’s on one another, or particularly like one another that well. You know this. Look around your office and in your courtrooms. Some of you right now today say you have similar interest but are ready to cut one anothers throat and backbite at the first opportunity you have, just to get one step ahead.
Bottom line, none of us know the truth. We only speculate. So let’s not point fingers at one another and let’s not allow our personal prejudice to get in the way of helping all of us work together to find the fact and a prevention to stop this same thing from happening in our community again, regardless of what race, gender, or sex that is involved.
October 31st, 2008 at 3:40 am
Shawn,
Thanks for addressing my question. I also did some research on hate crime and concluded a similar stance that you presented. By the way, I didn’t pose the question to you as if I think you are wrong for thinking it’s not a hate crime.
I just wanted to get a diffrent side that I have been debateing with my wife. She and I think it is a hate crime. But after I did my research, I too think that this maybe a tough case to try as a hate crime. Ann is correct, we must wait for the truth and facts to come out. I guess this is where I draw the line. Gary Young don’t want the truth or the facts to come out. The case was handling wrong from the get go. No, I wasn’t there, but from what I was told they called the funeral home and the body was taken there. Clearly, critical evidence had to have been tainted then. Why was the body sent for forensic at that point. The truth is not in G Young. He has no respect for the black communtiy. He is the Great Wall that is keeping this community in turmoil.
Shawn, keep up the good work. I enjoy this site!
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:26 am
I know nothing about this case personally, but I would like to tell this family how very sorry I am for their loss. I too lost a son while he was a young man, ( not thur murder ) and I understand the all consuming pain. May God bless and strengten you. I know a lot of people that have been unfortunate enough to have to deal with Gary Young and it is my belief that it is not about race with him, rather how much is in your bank account. By this I mean if you are poor and can’t afford a good lawyer, you are gong to jail, innocent or guilty,regardless of the crime’s severity, and regardless of race. Gary Young likes to talk about his conviction rate, how high it is. Well it appears to me his conviction rate is high because the same people keep being convicted, meaning he convicts a person, gives them a rather short sentence, offers NO type of rehabilitation, knowing full well they will be right back in trouble and he can do it again, thus increasing his conviction rate,which makes him look good come election time. It seems the only times he gives a sentence that fits the crime is if there is a lot of publicity and then it is spread all over the local newspaper like he has really done something. By the way how do you “accidentlly” shot a person in the head that many times inside the cab of a pickup truck? As for meeting with Gary Young, forget it you will get no further than his watch dog, Allan Hubbard, who appears to be the rudiest person in the county, totally devoid of understanding and compassion. Sorry for rambling but thanks for allowing me to vent
November 9th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
If the race problem wasn’t so big in Paris Texas and if black people, who are treated more harshly in the criminal justice system in Lamar County, had any confidence in that system, maybe the McClelland family wouldn’t be so worried and doubtful that justice will be served in this case. The main focus of the D.A.s office seems to be image and making sure this is not seen as a hate crime.
None of us know what was in the head of Brandons murderers but leave out hate crime and we still have a black man taken out into a fairly secluded area and murdered by two white men in a brutal way. Its a dragging death and the D.A.s main focus is it couldn’t be about race because “They were friends”.
Shannon Findley killed a man in 2003 and got only 4 years by claiming he was friends and he “accidentally” shot him trying to shoot at 3 black men who were robbing them. The three black men never surfaced. Chris is right. Allan Hubbard is the watch dog. Thats why he asked Shawn to call him. The D.A. thinks if he whispers in the ear of local pastors and black news sources that no focus should be put on this because its not a hate crime, this will go away.
They think the reason this case made news is because of the words “Hate Crime” but in reality, the reason it made news is because it was a brutal dragging death and because of “Racism”. There was a young black man in Paris beaten and stabbed a few months ago by 5 white people. He survived the attack and said the reason they beat and stabbed him was because he was at a white womans house and he said the group used the N word during their attack.
Three of the offenders were never arrested, One was arrested but only charged with Burglary and his punishment was deferred adjudication. The last offenders case is still pending. The D.A. decided this incident wasn’t a hate crime.
Evidently it wasn’t even attempted murder. It was just a burglary.
Does the life of a black man hold no value? If that incident wasn’t a hate crime, there is no such thing as a hate crime. On November 19th a 17 year old black youth Kerria Gunn will go on trial for an aggravated robbery, first offense. Gary Young says he will give him no less than 30 years.
According to his mother, his court appointed attorney told her a couple of days ago that she needs to take him to the judge and have him plead guilty and take the 30 years because if he goes to trial, he will likely get 99 years because Gary Young is upset that the New Black Panthers have been brought to Paris and upset about some article that was placed in the Paris News.
Retaliation has no place in the D.A.s office, or should not have a place. Gunn sat in jail for nine month under a half million dollar bond for a robbery. Thats an outrageous bond for his charge. If this youth is guilty, he must be punished but 30 years is outrageous and its not the sentence usually given. We demand justice for Brandon McClelland.
Right now, justice has a color in Lamar County Texas and its time for change. YES WE CAN.
November 9th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
You can’t have a District Attorney’s office more concerned with image than justice. And you can’t have a D.A.’s office whose allegiances are compromised. Something stinks.
November 14th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
i would like to say if the da isnt doing his job on this case and all this bs is going on in paris,which i dont know much about,and the da is letting white guys off on beating on blacks,this is pathetic.i believe in complaints.the da should have had a complaint filed on him,he is never to be bias and neither are the judges.write a complaint and have them investigated.i dont know if anyone has heard of joshua bush,but he is my brother,he got shot in the head by a friend,he lives,the police,detectives and da make up the biggest lies about josh,he has been in jail over 3 years.complaints have been filed on everyone who is deserving to one and also a complaint went to the justice dept.my brother was in jail and only 17 at the time with bonds set to almost a million dollars.guess what every case they have taken to court so far they have lost,not to mention he had about 8 charges.my brother civil rights had been violated by the port arthur police dept and now since he was found not guilty,they owe him so much money they hate the bushes to death.they make it known that racism is still alive.my answer to this is file complaints on the judges the police dep and the da.you have to do it.dont let them get away with it.this guy keeps killing his so called friends,im not buying it.he is a cold blooded murder and when ppl make it this easy for ppl like him to get away with it,guess what they do it again.COMPLAIN AND MAKE IT KNOWN THAT THIS WILL NOT BE TOLARATED.WHEN WILL THE JUSTICE SYSTEM NOT LOOK AT RACE,OR COLOR.THEY GIVING BLACK PPL MORE TIME THAN SOME HAVE LIVED BUT WHITE FOLKS GETS A SLAP ON THE WRIST.SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE..ME AND FAMILY FIGHT FOR WHAT BELIEVE IN…JOSH WILL BE HOME NEXT MONTH
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:38 am
In this case I do think you have to look to the past. This first case, was it an accident or not? Now was it? Four years and out to do it again. People do more time for DWI’s. Was there enought time or effort put into the first case. I guess they have a bigger mess now. It could be a hate crime and I respect freedom of speech, but murder is murder and should have been treated so the first time.
Tony
February 11th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
My nephew passed away January 30th of what Paris officials say is a suicide we have so many concerns that point to foul play and Gary Young will not ” return our calls” is there anything we can do for help this is a white child but from an unwealthy family the justice system in Paris is the” Good Old Boy System”
June 11th, 2009 at 8:56 am
A developmental disibility person w/an IQ of 47…… …. I work w/ disable adults….. this person needs help not 100 years in prison….. I hope u can sleep at night…. U sir r nothing more than a used car salesman and that is very sad in itself…… The state of texas law / court system leaves a lot to be desired.
June 12th, 2009 at 8:45 am
District Attorney Gary Young is an A.s.s.h.o.l.e
Something other than jail would have been ok
June 12th, 2009 at 8:47 am
That is why I hate Texas
June 12th, 2009 at 9:03 am
GARY YOUNG
Downtown
101 West Houston « Paris, TX 75460
Tel. (903) 785-2600 « Fax. (903) 785-9500