W
hen several teens in North Florida got arrested last month for beating to death a homeless man who was asleep in the woods they were asked the question, why did they do it? Their response was, “we killed him for fun.” How many parents would imagine that their offspring would take the life of another for fun, or even worse take the life of someone that was already down on their luck? When most kids are playing in sports, dating, starting a new job or trying to study real hard for college these kids just did what they wanted to do for fun. Was it a classic hate crime on the poor, was it just an evil act or was it an
T
he term “hate crime” generally conjures up images of cross burnings and lynchings, swastikas on Jewish synagogues, and horrific murders of gays and lesbians. In 1968, the U.S. Congress defined a hate crime, under federal law, as a crime in which the defendant intentionally selects a victim, or in the case of a property crime, the property that is the object of the crime, because of their race, color or national origin (Title 18 U.S.C Section 245). The law mandated that the government must prove both that the crime occurred because of a vic-
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incident where the kids were playing at first and things got out of hand and it went too far? I would hope to think that it was a slight prank and then it just got out of hand. Even so, if that was the case, how or why would these kids just 14 and 18 years of age not be hitting a baseball instead of hitting a person who was down on their luck? Everyone has some sort of anger, some take their anger out and hit a wall, some take their anger to God, some take their anger to a doctor for medication, and some take their anger even further. As we look through these hate crimes on the poor we (Continued on page 5)
tim’s membership in a designated group and because the victim was engaged in certain specified federally-protected activities — such as serving on a jury, voting, or attending public school. Hate crimes are commonly called bias-motivated crimes, referring to the prejudice or partiality of the perpetrator against the victim’s real or perceived grouping or circumstance. Most hate crimes are committed not by organized hate groups, but by individual citizens who harbor a strong resentment against a certain group of people. Some are “mission offenders,” who believe they are on a mission “to cleanse the world of a particular evil”. Others are “scapegoat offenders,” who project their resentment toward the growing economic power of a particular racial or ethnic group through violent actions. Still others are “thrill seekers” — those who take advantage of a vulnerable and disadvantaged group in order to (Continued on page 5)
Number of offenders
Ages of Accused / Convicted vs. Ages of Victims 30 20 10 0 12 16- 20- 24- 28- 32- 35- 39- 42- 46- 51- 55- 59- 64-15 19 23 27 31 35 38 41 45 50 54 58 63 67 Age groups
Accused/Convicted
Victims
Judge says case was `capricious'
A
B r o w a r d County Circuit Court judge ruled on Friday that a homeless shelter on Federal Highway does not violate city codes and can stay. Judge Victor Tobin called the city's efforts to force the Sean Cononie-run shelter to move to an industrial area "arbitrary and capricious." City Attorney Dan Abbott said he was disappointed by the ruling and would appeal if a majority of the commissioners decided to. Cononie, who operates the facility at 1203 N. Federal Highway and four other shelters in Broward, did not gloat over his victory. "Although we won, I'd be willing to sit down and talk with the city at any given time," he said. "They are trying to redo this whole corridor and I understand that. I don't want to throw off development or interfere with people's property values, but ... the city has used malicious prosecution tactics against me and they have been for years." The city had argued Cononie and his nonprofit Cosac Foundation were performing medical, mental health and other services in violation of zoning laws but admitted that if the shelter simply operated as a hotel, it could stay open. (Continued on page 7)
Most Americans are “Two Paychecks” away from being homeless. Help the shelter stay alive. We are trying to pay the mortgage off! To help, please send a check or money order to: COSAC Foundation Burn That Mortgage Campaign P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Fl 33329
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 2
HOMELESS VOICE
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Volume VI, Issue 8
HOMELESS VOICE This month Sean hosted many TV and radio shows on a program titled" Keeping your Kids Safe for the Summer" Shows consisted of preventing drowning and child abductions. Sean also has started a scholarship program so poor kids can take a self defense program called RADKids Training which helps kids learn how to prevent abLETTERS TO THE EDITOR duction. SEND TO: -Mark Targett P.O. BOX 292-577 DAVIE, FLORIDA 33329 FAX TO: 954-926-2022 EMAIL: info@homelessvoice.org ALL DONATION REQUESTS IN THE HOMELESS VOICE FOR ANY CHARITY ARE ADVERTISED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS WORDING A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL R EGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE IN THE STATE 1-800-435-7352 REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE THANK YOU FOR HELPING THE HOMELESS
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The Voice of the Homeless
Page 4
HATE CRIMES Honolulu, Hawaii January 8
New York City, New York March 31
Four Teens Leave Homeless Man in Critical Condition
3 Department of Homeless Services Officers Arrested in the Beating of a Shelter Resident
Four teenagers beat and stabbed an unidentified homeless man, leaving him in critical condition at Queen’s Medical Center. Lynn Mauneaka, director of The Institute for Human Services, an emergency shelter in Oahu, described the attack as “extreme” and “ugly.” A witness reported one of the attackers saying, “I got the guy good by knifing him.” Savannah Balai, 19, Percy Elevenia, 18, and an unnamed 15-year-old were charged with second-degree assault. Sources: Honolulu Advertiser, “4 arrested in attack on homeless man,” 1/10/04; Honolulu Advertiser “3 charged in beating of homeless man” 1/13/04
hate crime: any of various crimes (as assault or defacement of property) when motivated by hostility to the victim as a member of a group (as one based on color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation)
Key West, Florida March 23 Two Teens Beat a Homeless Man in His Sleep Two teenagers, 17 and 18, were arrested and charged with battery for attacking a sleeping homeless man. The 58-year-old man was found with large, bloody cuts on his forehead. A witness directed two police officers to the location where “several males” were beating the homeless man. When the police arrived, they saw the teens punch the victim repeatedly, then stand up, laugh, and give each other high-fives. Source: Keysnews.com, “Teens accused of beating a homeless man in Key West,” 3/22/04
Sgt. Raul Perez, 29, along with officers Wayne Davidson, 44, and Richie Mann, 28 were charged with assault for the beating of a resident in the Bellevue Men’s Shelter in Manhattan. The three peace officers, employed by the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), attacked the 20-year-old man in a hallway and elevator with a metal garbage can. The man was treated for cuts and bruises. The spokesman for DHS, Jim Anderson, said the agency will not stand for any abuse and that “the alleged abuse of power sharply contradicts the values and standard practices of the program. DHS has no tolerance for behavior of this type and the three officers have been suspended without pay.” Source: Newsday “3 officers held in beating at shelter” 4/2/04
Weymouth, Massachusetts April 15 51-Year-Old Homeless Man Beaten by 19 Year-Old 19-year-old Daniel Cronin was arrested and charged for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Cronin was reported to have hit a 51 year-old homeless man with a rock and then chased him with a stick. Source: The Patriot Ledger “Homeless man beaten; police make arrest” 4/16/04
“Life can only take place in the present moment, if we lose the present moment we lose life” -Aldous Huxley
Bend, Oregon April 16 Teen Hits, Kicks, and Stomps Homeless Man to Death Stephen Withrow, 17, is charged with murder, manslaughter, robbery, and assault after allegedly killing Curtis Dean Kizer, a 42-year old homeless man. According to local authorities, Withrow told detectives that on April 16, he drank nine beers with several friends in the woods. Soon after Withrow, with two friends, approached Kizer, who was waiting to be served dinner by a local church group. He made small talk with Kizer, and then punched him in the face without warning, rendering him unconscious. Withrow continued to punch Kizer in the face, all the while yelling, swearing, and referring to him as homeless. He then repeatedly climbed up a set of nearby stairs and jumped onto Kizer’s chest. Kizer’s friends and the youths accompanying Withrow agreed that the attack was completely unprovoked. Withrow has a criminal record, including charges of first-degree theft, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of alcohol by a minor, criminal mischief, and first-degree burglary. Moreover, police found two binders in Withrow’s room that contained handwritten notes about his desire to kill someone. Withrow pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was given 20 years in prison. Sources: Associated Press, “Teen facing murder charge in death of homeless man,” 4/21/04; Bend Bulletin, “Teen arraigned in case of Drake Park killing,” 4/28/04; Bend.com, “Teen Drake Park slaying suspect had many run-ins,” 5/7/04; Bend.com, “Footbridge murder suspect to enter plea Dec. 6,” 10/4/04; The Associated Press State & Local Wire, “Teen will serve 20 years after manslaughter plea,” 4/13/05
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Volume VI, Issue 8
HATE CRIMES
(Continued from page 1)
must ask ourselves why it is happening. Not only to the poor but to different classes of people that may be different from us. Can we classify the killing of ethnic killings in the world countries as hate crimes? Can we classify the killing of the innocent victims of the World Trade Center as hate crimes and can we classify the actions of a serial killer or mass murder as hate crimes? Whatever the case if hate exists, evil exists and mental illness exists and as friends, relatives, teachers, civil leaders, and people in the whole world we must understand that the hatred exists and we must act fast. We must look at what our kids are doing and when we see violent acts that may be small we must act very fast to avoid future problems. We can say actions from the past can make some people do some unbelievable things. They have so much anger in them and the only way they can develop into a better person is to become that better person. We need to look deep into the hearts of people who do these things and try to stop it from happening. When we see our kids make fun of someone that is different from them then we must act fast. School yard bullies have been very popular in this decade and some of these bullies have committed great acts of violence as time goes by. Teachers need to recognize the fact that when they see another student pick on another kid or to say things that are filled with hate to someone unlike them, the teacher must act fast. Teaching coping skills is just as important as teaching math just as is teaching love, not indifference and hatred. These should be a required part of the curriculum. Even those who hurt people have some form of tenderness in their heart somewhere, it just needs to be uncovered and nurtured. As you read these hate crimes on the poor you will see, or better yet, you will ask yourself, how does this happen? How does a child do these acts? Also
understand that there are adults who use the same hatred to hurt people. Look at these gruesome actions of the hate that exist towards the poor. What has the world become when people do these things. To take the life of another person because it was fun is not the answer. If you are reading this and you have hate in your heart then understand that someone out there loves the people who you abuse, hurt or kill. For those who take the lives of another or wants to commit a hate crime towards the poor, understand that someone out there loves that person. Just like someone out there loves you and if something should happen to you it also affects us the people who love you. In the last two months three homeless voice vendors have been shot with a pellet gun. The vendors were just doing what they do best by bringing this paper to you. Then out of nowhere they were shot several times. Yes, it is true that the chance of getting killed by a pellet gun is slim nevertheless death can occur. In their cases two of the vendors had to have the pellets surgically removed because they were embedded in the muscle. What about taking the eye out of someone down on their luck? When this happened we contacted the Dade County Sheriff’s office asking for a full investigation and to this day not one person from the police department called back to investigate these hate crimes. In fact we sent an email to the chief asking for them not to take this lightly just because it was a pellet gun. We explained that this was not the first incident or the second and that it is still happening. We explained that it was far better to do an investigation not so much for the prosecution but to stop a possibly more serious crime in the future. It is my opinion that the shooters in these cases are most likely kids. I am sure they are thinking in the back of their minds that, “it is a pellet gun and that it won’t kill a person” however I am here to tell you that
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“Everyone has some sort of anger, some take their anger out and hit a wall, some take their anger to God, some take their anger to a doctor for medication, and some take their anger even further.”
your so called prank can kill and even if you don't kill one of these vendors with your pellet gun it carries the same charge as if it were a larger gun. So if you are the one doing this so called prank understand that this is a good time for you to get a hold of yourself and stop it right now. It is my hope that you don't get caught for your prank but rather be educated from this article that even pranks can end up killing someone. No need to end up in jail after all jail is to rehabilitate and after you are done reading this article I hope that it has rehabilitated you that you will get a hold of yourself and understand that your actions can carry the same weight as a serious crime involving a handgun. The National Coalition for the Homeless and Cosac's National Coalition Against Terrorism and Stopping Hate Crimes USA have lobbied the US con-
(Continued from page 1)
satisfy their own pleasures. Thrill seekers, primarily in their teens, are the most common perpetrators of violence against homeless people. In documenting hate crimes and violence against homeless people, and the data and documentation used for this report, NCH relies on news reports and information relayed to us by homeless shelters around the country. Although NCH acts as the nationwide repository of hate crimes/violence against homeless people, there is no systematic method of collecting and documenting such reports. Many of these violent acts go unpublicized and/or unre-
gress to ask the GOP to do a study on hate crimes on the homeless. Right now there are many signatures on the bill from both parties. We hope in the future that these crimes towards the poor and homeless will go away and we here at the Homeless Voice hope that adults will keep an eye on minors to look for signs and symptoms of violence. It is far better to be over reactive then to just think it is a phase a child is going through. One last thing, remember that many adults have committed the same types of crimes towards the homeless and some of these crime were committed by lighting the homeless person on fire as well as decapitating them. -Sean Cononie
ported, thereby making it difficult to assess the true magnitude of the problem. Often, homeless people do not report crimes committed against them because of mental health issues, substance abuse, fear of retaliation, past incidents, or frustration with the police. Some cases this year were also omitted because the victims were found beaten to death, but no suspects could be identified. In addition, the report does not take into account the large number of sexual assaults, especially against homeless women. -Homeless News Wire
Can You Paint? Would You Like To Help? Help Paint Our Home at the COSAC Quarters Homeless Shelter in Hollwood. Call To Volunteer. 954-410-6275
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 6
HATE CRIMES Lompoc, California May 29
Santa Cruz, California June 16
Man Set on Fire, Found Two Days Later
Homeless Man Beaten By Youths
A sleeping 53-year-old homeless man was set on fire in the downtown area, sustaining serious burns on his back and arms. He was discovered two days later when a passerby heard his moans. The police are searching for three teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18 believed to be responsible for the attack.
A homeless man, who wishes to remain anonymous, was attacked with baseball bats by a group of young men as he slept outdoors in his sleeping bag.
Sources: Los Angeles Times, “Teens Who Set Homeless Man on Fire Sought” 5/29/04;Associated Press, “Teens Allegedly Set Homeless Man on Fire,” 5/30/04
Austin, Texas June 15 Homeless Man Beaten to Death 43-year-old Curtis Ray Wilson, a homeless man, was severely beaten before collapsing and dying in the lobby of a business in Austin. Several months after the savage beating death, his alleged attacker was arrested and brought to trial. His motivation purportedly was to impress his girlfriend. Curtis suffered from mental illness. He was known and loved by hundreds of people for his good nature and sense of humor. House the Homeless, an Austin advocacy group, honored Lisa Morrill, the detective who arrested Wilson’s alleged killer, with the Curtis Ray Wilson Compassion Award. She was recognized for resisting pressures to close the case; insisting that Mr. Wilson was a “regular person and deserved to be treated as decently as anyone else.” The name of Curtis Ray Wilson was read along with eighty-eight other people at the 2004 Homeless memorial Sunrise Service. Each year Austinites and concerned citizens from all across the nation, gather in their local communities to acknowledge the men and women who have lost their lives while living on the streets of America. Sources: KEYE, “Homeless Man Murdered in Austin,” 6/16/04; KVUE News, “Suspect identified in attack on homeless man,” 6/18/04; Richard R. Troxell, President of House the Homeless, Austin
Source: Homeless United for Friendship and Freedom (HUFF), 6/16/04
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Nashville, Tennessee June 13 Driver Intentionally Runs Into Homeless Man’s Shopping Cart Jesse Holt, 23, has been charged with aggravated assault after deliberately driving his pickup truck into 48-year-old Kenneth McCart’s shopping cart. The well-known and well-liked McCart sustained injuries to his knees, elbows, and forehead. Following the accident, McCart began to suffer from seizures and is currently receiving treatment at Skyline Medical Center. Holt admits intentionally running into the shopping cart, claiming that he was angry that McCart was “lollygagging in the road being a safety hazard,” but says that he had no intention of seriously injuring McCart. After hitting McCart, Holt continued driving to his job at Papa John’s, where he was currently on the clock. Sources: The Tennessean, “Driver hits homeless man’s cart deliberately,” 6/27/04; The Tennessean, “Some think attacks on homeless should be considered hate crimes,” 9/5/04
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Volume VI, Issue 8
HATE CRIMES
(Continued from page 1)
"I think they knew I wouldn't" want to be a flophouse, Cononie said. "They knew I wanted to give people services." Cononie has been fighting with city officials since he opened his first shelter at the JoLin Apartments on Lincoln Street in 1997. In 2002, he moved to his current building, which houses about 150 people nightly. Tobin ruled the places the city deemed appropriate "are in an area where residential and institutional uses are prohibited. These prohibited uses are the exact reasons why the Foundation exists." Abbott denied the city was trying to run the shelter out of town. "I have never heard from the commission, or an individual commissioner even, that they wanted that operation outside the city," Abbott said. "At all times, they wanted the zoning code enforced. "We have never had a beef with Sean," he said. "We think he does good work. We want him to do good work where he's allowed to do good work." But when asked where she thought Cononie's shelter should be located, Commissioner
Cathy Anderson on Friday said "anywhere but Hollywood. "My constituents don't want it, and everybody tries to serve their constituents," said Anderson. She said she accepted the ruling, and the city would abide by it. "We have a lot to celebrate today," said an elated Ramona Montayne, 46, who has lived at the shelter for three and a half years. "The little guy won for once." Cononie, whose operations have total revenues of about $1.5 million annually, mostly raised by street vendors selling the Homeless Voice newspaper, smiled from ear to ear. He then announced a celebration of pizza and soda was in order. Resident Randy Zinn, 38, watched Cononie walk past him and said, "he looks out for the real people." "These folks don't have family or a place to go," said case manager Roxanne Morales. "We are all they got. We are their last chance." Sara Case, who lives in Hollywood Lakes, said Cononie's shelter created problems when it was in a residential neighborhood in north central Hollywood, but
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she had not seen or heard about such problems since it moved. "As long as it's not intruding on a neighborhood with people peeing in yards, throwing beer cans and sleeping in yards," Case said, the shelter should be allowed to stay. Laura Hansen, of the Coalition to End Homelessness, in Sunrise, said she was pleased the judge is allowing services to be provided to the homeless in Hollywood. We have so many more people than we can help," she said. "We get 60,000 calls a year from homeless people [in Broward] wanting help. There's not
nearly that number of beds. We leave so many on the streets because we have no place to put them, including families. It would really be heartbreaking if we lost more beds." Hansen, whose group helps find homeless people places to stay, said Cononie's struggles were not unusual. "I don't know of any city that wants a homeless shelter," she said. "Cities are made up of neighborhoods and no neighborhood wants a homeless shelter." By Shannon O'Boye and Edgar Sandoval Sun-Sentinel
L
istening to the news or reading the article above, you get a better idea of the hurdles we have had to jump over in order to keep this shelter alive and running. Times have been hard on us and now, since it is hurricane season, the weather is not helping us either. The forced move that we had to make from Lincoln St to Federal Highway, the legal battles with the City of Hollywood have set us back emotionally, physically and financially and of course you all know that most cities have prohibited us from vending on the roadway. This has not only reduced our sales contacts, but again, has cost us legal expense. We pray everyday for perseverance. God says, ask and you shall receive. So here goes. We need to raise $710,750 to pay off our mortgage on the Homeless Voice Homeless Shelter. We are looking to pay off the mortgage quickly, because with that burden off our shoulders, we can focus our time and energy on other projects we want to start. The shelter has been up and running for 8 years now, and we are still forced to ask for financial help...this was not exactly the plan we had in mind. You all have been so generous over the years, and we appreciate you and we thank you for all the help that you give us because our plan was to have the mortgage paid off long ago, but there seems to always be that obstacle in the way. To donate online please visit us at our newly constructed website at www.HomelessVoice.org or follow the instructions below to send a check. -Thank you in advance. The tired COSAC Staff
The Homeless Voice sells approx 80,000 papers per month. This month we ask you, our supporters to send in $10. If everyone participates that normally purchases a paper; we will be able to pay the mortgage off this month. Please if you can find it in your heart to help us in our endeavor. Please send a check or money order to: COSAC Foundation BURN That Mortgage Campaign P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Fl 33329
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 8
HATE CRIMES Tulsa, Oklahoma June 24 Killing of Bar Owner Stirs Up Hatred Against Homeless Community According to District Attorney Tim Harris, bar owner Shawn Howard, 35, and bar manager Josh Martin came upon homeless man Terry Badgewell, 39, as they were attempting to drive away drug dealers. The two men ordered Badgewell to leave. An altercation ensued in which Howard struck Badgewell in the face with a pair of brass knuckles. In turn Badgewell hit Howard repeatedly with a pipe, killing him. Since the incident, homeless citizens of Tulsa have faced intense criticism and discrimination. Wanted posters have been placed around town prominently featuring Badgewell’s image. T-shirts stating offensive messages towards the homeless have been printed and distributed throughout Tulsa. Homeless people who frequent a local Salvation Army shelter have been chased away. Harris declined to prosecute the case, saying that the evidence indicates that Badgewell was acting in self-defense. However, Howard’s mother filed a petition in August seeking a grand jury probe of her son’s death. The petition received enough signatures to warrant the creation of a grand jury to indict Badgewell. Badgewell has been in jail since December 9, 2004. He faces trial on charges of first-degree murder and assault with a dangerous weapon. “We will defend this vigorously,” stated Badgewell’s attorney, Steve Hjelm. Sources: Associated Press, “Tulsa Bar Owner’s Family Fails To Sway Prosecutor,” 8/2/04; Associated Press, “Fatal beating of bar owner by homeless man leads to backlash against homeless in Tulsa,” 8/17/04; Associated Press, “Petition Granted For Grand Jury Investigation,” 8/17/04; Seattle Post-Intelligencer, “Tulsa killing sparks war against homeless,” 8/17/04; Chicago Sun-Times, “Oklahomans lash out at homeless for slaying,” 8/18/04; Associated Press, “Grand jury indicts man in death of bar owner,” 12/9/04; The Associated Press State & Local Wire, “Man bound over for trial on beating charges,”4/28/05
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Chicago, Illinois August 10 Sleeping Homeless Man Beaten to Death James Z. Cotton, 22, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the beating death of 63-year-old homeless man Floyd Johnson, locally known as Rico. Cotton admitted that he stomped on and kicked Johnson before beating him to death with pieces of Johnson’s own wooden table. Police discovered Johnson with massive head injuries on the sidewalk where he slept. He died at a nearby hospital. Johnson’s friends describe him as a good and respectful man who was constantly the victim of cruelty. In one incident both his walker and cane had been stolen. In another case, an unknown attacker exploded fireworks in his mouth while he slept. Sources: ABC 7, “Homeless man beaten to death,” 8/10/04; Chicago Tribune, “Homeless man beaten to death on sidewalk,” 8/11/04; Chicago Tribune, “Suspect held in beating death of homeless man,” 8/15/04
Anchorage, Alaska August 19 Youths Attack Homeless Man, Flee in Stolen Car
Man arrested in fatal beating James Edward Johnson, 39, was arrested for the fatal beating of Keith Lusby, 48, a homeless man. Witnesses say that Johnson attacked him after Lusby made a negative comment to Johnson’s girlfriend. Lusby’s severely beaten body was found behind a gas station. The state medical examiner’s office determined that he died from fatal head injuries. Source: Baltimore Sun, “Essex man arrested in fatal beating murder charge is filed in homeless man’s death. Suspect admitted role, police say,” 7/06/04
Need Help With Your Business? Let the Homeless Voice Help You 954-410-6275 Milwaukee, Wisconsin July 29 Teens Seek out a Homeless Man to Beat and Kill The body of Horacio Lima, 43, was found underneath a bridge in Milwaukee. Police say that he was beaten over the head repeatedly with what was probably a piece of lumber. According to the reports of other homeless people, this beating was one of many violent acts against the homeless community in that area. Police are searching for two suspects in the case, but no arrests have been made. Sources: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel “Death of Homeless Man Draws Inquiry” 7/31/04; The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel “Attackers Bash” 8/3/04
Three 14-year-old boys and a 15-year-old girl were involved in the assault of a 54-year-old homeless man in the early morning of August 19. The boys knocked the man down and repeatedly kicked and punched him as the girl stood by watching. The teens fled in a car after an off-duty police officer stopped to assist the man. All four were arrested soon after they abandoned the vehicle at a gas station and tried to run from police. The girl told police that the three boys had beaten another homeless man without provocation just an hour before. All three of the boys were charged with assault, while two of the boys and the girl were charged with vehicular theft. According to Don Bertis, director of a local shelter, reports of abuse are not uncommon, though many go undocumented. In the past month, one man’s tent was set on fire and two other people were beaten to the point of needing medical attention. Source: Anchorage Daily News, “Group of 14-year-olds beat homeless man,” 8/19/04
Ann Arbor, Michigan August 26 Homeless Man Attacked A 50-year-old homeless man was robbed and assaulted by a man who stole his watch. The victim was able to give police the first name of his attacker, who is suspected of attacking a number of other homeless people in the area in recent weeks. Source: Everything Michigan, “Homeless man assaulted, robbed,” 8/26/04
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Volume VI, Issue 8
HATE CRIMES STATES WHERE HATE CRIMES/VIOLENCE OCCURRED IN 2004: Alaska -- 5 separate incidents resulting in 5 non-lethal acts (Anchorage). California -- 5 separate incidents in 3 cities: Lompoc (1), Oakland (3), and Santa Cruz (1) resulting in 1 death and 4 non-lethal acts. Colorado -- 15 separate incidents resulting in 10 deaths and 5 non-lethal acts (Denver). Florida -- 4 separate incidents in 2 cities: Bradenton (1), and Key West (3) resulting in 4 non-lethal acts. Hawaii -- 1 incident resulting in 1 non-lethal act (Honolulu). Illinois -- 4 separate incidents in 2 cities: Aurora (1), Chicago (3) resulting in 1 death and 3 non-lethal acts. Maryland -- 1 incident resulting in 1 death (Baltimore). Massachusetts -- 1 incident resulting in 1 non-lethal act (Weymouth). Michigan -- 4 separate incidents in 3 cities: Ann Arbor (1), Clinton Township (2), and Kalamazoo (3) resulting in 6 non-lethal acts. Minnesota -- 7 separate incidents resulting in 7 non-lethal acts (Minneapolis). New Jersey -- 3 separate incidents resulting in 3 non-lethal acts (Toms River). New York -- 6 separate incidents in 2 cities: Albany (1), and New York City (5) resulting in 3 deaths and 3 non-lethal acts. North Carolina -- 6 separate incidents resulting in 6 non-lethal acts (Greenville). Ohio -- 1 incident resulting in 1 death (Waverly). Oklahoma -- 1 incident resulting in 1 non-lethal act (Tulsa). Oregon -- 3 separate incidents in 3 cities: Bend (1), Corvallis (3), and Keizer (1) resulting in 3 deaths and 2 non-lethal acts. Pennsylvania -- 1 incident resulting in 1 death (Gettysburg). Puerto Rico -- 2 separate incidents in 2 cities: Loiza (1), and Rio Piedras (1) resulting in 2 non-lethal acts. Tennessee -- 2 separate incidents in 2 cities: Lawrenceburg (1), and Nashville (1) resulting in 2 non-lethal acts. Texas -- 24 separate incidents in 3 cities: Austin (1), Corpus Christi (5), and Galveston (18) resulting in 1 death and 23 nonlethal acts. Virginia -- 2 separate incidents resulting in 2 non-lethal acts (Fairfax). Washington--- 1 incident resulting in 1 death (Maple Valley). Wisconsin -- 2 separate incidents resulting in 2 deaths (Milwaukee).
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania September 21
Aurora, Illinois September 28
Teens Kill Homeless Man Over $5 Dispute
Homeless Man Shot and Beaten
Three teenagers were arrested for the murder of 48-yearold homeless man Thomas Hardy. All three teens will be tried as adults. Jason Schwartz, 17, Anthony Glacken, 17, and Dustin Moser, 18, were all charged with second and third-degree murder, robbery, and criminal conspiracy. Moser is also charged with first-degree murder. Police say that Glacken and Schwartz had attended a party at the campsite where Hardy’s body was later found. Hardy gave several beers to the teens, for which Glacken says he paid for. An argument soon broke out in which Schwartz hit Hardy several times. The two teens left the campsite and returned later with Moser to “finish the fight” and get Glacken’s money back. The three teens repeatedly beat Hardy over the head with their fists and a wooden log until he was unconscious. They then rifled through his pockets, stealing his money, wallet, ID, and lottery tickets. Hardy ultimately died of blunt force trauma to the head. Prosecutors expect the trials for all three teens to begin in September 2005. Sources: Gettysburg Times, “Homeless man murdered,” 9/24/04;Patriot News, “3 face trial in beating death; Teens Robbed Homeless Man of $4 at his campsite, police say,” 9/30/04; Evening Sun, “Hardy murder trial on docket,” 12/30/04
Loiza, Puerto Rico September 27 Homeless Man Target of Drive-by Shooting Edwin Vazquez Parrilla, 30, was wounded Saturday night in a drive-by shooting. An unidentified gunman pulled up and shot the homeless man in the leg before driving off. He was taken to Carolina Regional Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. Source: The San Juan Star: “Homeless man target of drive-by shooting,” 9/27/04
Up to six men attacked a 56-year-old homeless man behind a church. The man had been sleeping in a tent when he heard approaching footsteps. Upon leaving his tent, he was blinded by a light and then shot twice in the stomach with a pellet gun. In addition he was punched in the arm and the head, causing him to fall to the ground. The man was treated at a local hospital for his injuries. Source: Aurora Beacon News, “Homeless man beaten behind church,” 9/30/04
Albany, New York October 18 Teens Beat Homeless Man, Then Torch His Belongings Two sixteen-year-old girls, Princess Gause and Tyleisha Dutton, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief after they attacked 50-year-old homeless Navy veteran Michael Coene. The girls were arrested after they bragged to friends at school about the attack. The teens admitted buying gasoline, pouring it on Coene’s belongings, and lighting them on fire as a 14-year-old companion beat Coene with a shovel handle. Coene lost everything he owned, including his Bible, his insulin, and his clothes. Coene suffered an injured knee and hand in the attack, and needed stitches in his left ear. The local Homeless Action Committee and private donors have started a fund to help Coene. Gause and Dutton must now undergo psychiatric evaluations and complete 100 hours of community service in nearby homeless shelters. The boy has been charged with felony assault. Sources: Times Union, “After beating, homeless man grateful for help,” 10/21/04; Capital 9 News, “Fund started for homeless man,” 10/21/04; WTEN, “Two More Arrested In Homeless Man Beating,” 10/22/04; Fox 23, “More Teens Charged In Homeless Man Attack,” 10/24/04; Street Roots, “Teens admit involvement in attack on homeless man,” 11/22/04; Times Union, “Teenage girls admit roles in beating, fire,” 12/1/04
The Voice of the Homeless
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HATE CRIMES Toms River, New Jersey October 22
Fairfax County, Virginia November 1
Five Teens Beat Three Homeless People in “Bum-Hunting” Attacks
Homeless Man Robbed at Gunpoint
Five Toms River High School seniors have been arrested for allegedly attacking three local homeless people because they were “bored.” Frank Novak, 18, along with two 17-year-olds, were charged with aggravated assault. Two other 17-year-olds were charged with aggravated assault and criminal mischief. The most recent of the attacks occurred when 50-year-old homeless man Larry Radomski reported being beaten with pipes and baseball bats as he slept in the woods. The teens also threw hockey pucks at him. He suffered five broken ribs, a fractured arm, and a punctured lung. This was the second assault against him by teens that day. Earlier in October, the group allegedly threw bricks at a 42-year-old homeless woman, who required hospitalization after being hit twice in the head and suffered from facial lacerations. In June, a 44-year-old homeless man was attacked by a group of teens that hit him with their hands and a golf club, causing injuries to his shoulders, arms, and face. Local police chief Michael Mastronardy was reported as saying, “‘Apparently they were actually searching people out who are homeless…merely because of their stature in life.’” The teens later bragged about their so-called “bum-hunting” at school. Sources: Newsday, “5 teens held in ‘bum hunting’ attacks on homeless,” 10/28/04; International HomelessNess, “Beating of homeless stun most TR students,” 10/31/04; Asbury Park Press, “Homeless Man Injured Again,” 11/7/04; Asbury Park Press “Adult trial sought in homeless assaults” 11/13/04; Ocean County Observer “‘Bum Hunters’ could be tried as adults” 11/14/04;
A 37-year-old homeless man was robbed at gunpoint. The man had accepted a ride to a pawnshop from the suspect, whom he had just met. After leaving the pawnshop, at which the suspect’s transaction was denied, he pointed a gun at the homeless man and tried to rob him. Upon seeing that the homeless man had no money, the suspect allowed the man to leave unharmed. The suspect was described as a 6” tall white male in his 40s with brown hair and brown eyes, weighing about 215 pounds. Source: Fairfax County Police Department, 11/1/04
To Donate Your Time: Call 954-410-6275 Key West, Florida November 16 Homeless Man Critically Beaten James Boyts, 52, was severely beaten early in the morning by William Willis, 18, and Jeffery Carbonell, 19. Carbonell was charged with aggravated battery, while Willis was charged with aggravated battery, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Boyts suffered severe facial injuries after he was hit and kicked several times by Willis and Carbonell. Bleeding heavily from head wounds, he was airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Miami where he was listed in critical condition. Before that attack, Boyts had previously been harassed and had rocks thrown at him by two other men. Both Willis and Carbonell had blood on their shoes when police accosted them. Sources: The Miami Herald, “Teens charged with beating homeless man” 11/17/04; ey West Citizen, “Homeless beating victim stable after surgery,” 11/18/04
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Volume VI, Issue 8
HATE CRIMES Support the Homeless Voice Purchase Home Depot and/or Lowe’s Gift and Shopping Cards thru us! We accept Credit Cards. The gift cards can be picked up at a location near you. Call 954-325-7326
Special Thanks to: Adam Amir Editor-in-Chief of The Chariot
I Chose to Look The Other Way I could have saved a life that day, But I chose to look the other way. It wasn't that I didn't care, I had the time, and I was there. But I didn't want to seem a fool, Or argue over a safety rule. I knew he'd done the job before, If I spoke up, he might get sore. The chances didn't seem that bad, I'd done the same, He knew I had. So I shook my head and walked on by, He knew the risks as well as I. He took the chance, I closed an eye, And with that act, I let him die. I could have saved a life that day, But I chose to look the other way. Now every time I see his wife, I'll know, I should have saved his life. That guilt is something I must bear, But it isn't something you need share. If you see a risk that others take, That puts their health or life at stake. The question asked, or thing you say, Could help them live another day. If you see a risk and walk away, Then hope you never have to say, I could have saved a life that day, But I chose, to look the other way. Don Merrell dmerrell@Simplot.com J.R. Simplot Company, Don Plant Training Center
Looking for Volunteers Call the Homeless Voice 954-410-6275
Number of Victims
80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
42
35
2001
21 17
2000
15
21
2002
61
2003
9
80
2004
25
Hate Crimes and Violence Against People Experiencing Homelessness
48
12
1999
Deaths
Nonlethal
