Thu
Jul 31 2008
01:22 pm
Targeting liberals is not a hate crime?
By: Factchecker

Per Slate, not in Tennessee. Maybe it should be, especially given how polarized we have become and due to over-the-top hatemongering that's in vogue.

Another way we might use this tragedy to improve our world.

Topics:
rikki's picture

The shooter targeted a

Submitted by rikki on Thu, 2008/07/31 - 3:09pm.

The shooter targeted a church. That is a hate crime.

I don't think modifying hate crime laws to include political persecution serves much purpose. Those laws are just sentencing add ons. If we want to prevent future suicide sprees, we need to rebuild the social safety nets Republicans (and many Democrats) have been weakening over the past few decades.

Assistance for the poor, sick or unemployed is an investment in public safety. Republicans love to spend money on police, prisons and more draconian laws. They like to punish rather than protect. Which approach is more cost effective?

Anonymous's picture

If convicted of first degree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2008/07/31 - 7:38pm.

If convicted of first degree murder, the sentence ranges from life with the possibility of parole after 51 years, life without parole or even the death penalty. What more would adding more for a "hate crime" do?

Jake Jost's picture

About 12 years...

Submitted by Jake Jost (not verified) on Thu, 2008/07/31 - 8:01pm.

Under Tennessee's code, hate crime is a sentencing enhancer rather than another crime. From a recent conversation one of our reporters had with Don Bosch, it could add about 12 years.

Joe328's picture

Does TN have a hate crime law?

Submitted by Joe328 on Fri, 2008/08/01 - 7:48am.

I could be wrong but I don't believe Tennessee has a hate crime law. tt's the federal law that Tennessee follows to protects groups individuals. I understand that the law protects all races, religions, organization, or any structured group of people.

Here's one example I found on New York attorney's web site. If someone tells a lawyer joke in bar, then gets into a scuffle with an attorney. The individual could be charged with a hate crime for every attorney in the bar.

R. Neal's picture

I believe you are correct

Submitted by R. Neal on Fri, 2008/08/01 - 8:34am.

I believe you are correct that Tennessee does not have a hate crime law per se, but does have laws to enhance sentencing based on hate crime elements.

Joe328's picture

TCA 39-17-309 civil Rights Intimidation

Submitted by Joe328 on Fri, 2008/08/01 - 9:21am.

After reading your reply I looked a little deeper and found it. I apologize for missing it the first time.

MarylandBear's picture

That was what I thought.

Submitted by MarylandBear (not verified) on Fri, 2008/08/01 - 7:05am.

That was what I thought.

While I am a supporter of hate crimes laws, this is not the best case to argue for them, because Adkisson, assuming he's convicted (and that seems pretty certain) will never see the light of day again. Even if he's eligible for parole after 51 years, he's almost certain to not live long enough to get parole.

Essentially, the only way he could get out of prison would be a pardon, and any Tennessee governor who even considered that would get calls from Ray Blanton saying "are you crazy?"

(okay, checking wikipedia, I see Blanton has himself been dead for over a decade....)

Tess's picture

sigh

Submitted by Tess on Thu, 2008/07/31 - 9:16pm.

Daddy (90 years old this year) always said, "Would you rather pay for schools or prisons? Because you are paying at least three times more for prisons."

Elrod's picture

Hardly matters, but he did attack a religion

Submitted by Elrod on Thu, 2008/07/31 - 9:19pm.

He targeted a UU church because he hates the beliefs of Unitarian Universalism. Seems that falls under the category of religion.

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