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Pastor Dewey Smith Shares Some Truth About Leviticus
Alleged Philadelphia Gay-Bashers Offered Plea Deal
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| Defendants Kevin Harrigan, Kathryn Knott and Philip Williams |
Ten months after allegedly leading the attack on a gay couple that hospitalized both victims and left one with a shattered jaw and cheekbones, the suspects in the Philly hate crime (Kevin Harrigan, Kathryn Knott and Philip Williams) have plea deals in hand.
From PhillyMag:
Sources on both sides of the case confirm that all three suspects now have plea offers in hand and that they are are weighing their options.
“On behalf of my client, we are reviewing a plea offer from the District Attorney,” says Williams’ attorney Fortunato Perri. Williams stands accused of punching both victims, Zachary Hesse and Andrew Haught, according to court documents. Haught suffered the greatest injuries, requiring hospitalization.
Louis Busico, attorney for Kathryn Knott, says that he’s “always happy to have open lines of communication” with prosecutors but wouldn’t say whether Knott is going to take the deal. While Williams and Harrigan were allegedly the more physical aggressors, it was Knott who received the brunt of public backlash after homophobic rants were found on her Twitter feed.
Harrigan’s attorney, Josh Scarpello, did not return calls seeking comment. According to an affidavit of probable cause in the case, Harrigan initiated the confrontation when he called the victims “faggots,” and he struck Hesse.
Cameron Kline, spokesperson for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, says that the office does not comment on plea offers but tells us that if convicted on all charges, the maximum sentence could be as high as 34 to 68 years in prison, though no one expects that the judge would hand out anywhere near the maximum sentence, especially considering that these are first offenses.
None of the attorneys nor the D.A.’s office would comment on the specifics of the plea offer, so we asked prominent Philadelphia criminal defense attorney Chuck Peruto to walk us through the thought process.
“If they can tell who did what exactly, a good deal for the guy that did the most damage is two to four years state time,” says Peruto. “And the ones that did minimal damage, maybe 11-1/2 to 23 months in county. If my clients got an offer like that, they’d probably take it. This is Philadelphia and you don’t want a gay-bashing case as a criminal defense attorney. There are a lot of gay people here, and you can’t tell who is gay on your jury.”
Each suspect has been charged with conspiracy and two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. They remain free on bail.
Last Thursday, the case was continued so that the defendants could consider the plea offers. If no plea deal is made, Busico says he expects jury selection to begin in September or October.
Discrimination Turns Into A Sweet Deal For Sweet Cakes Owners
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| Melissa and Aaron Klein of “Sweet Cakes by Melissa” |
So it turns out, for the second time this year, if you go public with your anti-gay animus you can clean up financially with crowd-sourcing campaigns.
The owners of Oregon bakery Sweet Cakes by Melissa, who refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple, were found guilty of violating state public accommodation laws and fined $135,000.
But don’t worry about owners Aaron and Melissa Klein – they won’t feel the pinch even a little bit with that fine. Anti-gay haters across the country pitched in to contribute a whopping $355,500 to the Kleins via a campaign at Continue To Give.
This is after GoFundMe closed an earlier campaign that raised over $110,000 – WHICH the anti-gay bakers get to keep.
So, all in all, for discriminating against a same-sex wedding, the Kleins rake in over $462,000; more than triple the fine.
Missouri County Commissioners Approve (And Now Will Rescind) Proposal Lowering Flags Over Same-Sex Marriage
In response to the historic ruling by SCOTUS in favor of same-sex marriage, the three member panel of commissioners in Dent County, Missouri, voted to lower U.S. and state flags at the county court house on the 26th of every month for the next year as a sign of “mourning.”
Authored by Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles, the proposal was unanimously approved by the panel, all three Republicans.
From Buzzfeed:
“I just want anybody who sees that to be reminded we find it revolting that the Supreme Court has ruled in this manner,” Dent County Commissioner Darrell Skiles, who sponsored the proposal, told BuzzFeed News on Monday. “I had this feeling like when someone near and dear has passed away — not the same, but similar.”
Under the proposal, the flags are to be lowered on the 26th of each month through June 2016 — marking the date of the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling, which the bill describes as one of “the saddest days in our history.”
But by the next morning, several media outlets had reported on the commission’s order and an online petition asking officials to reverse the decision had gathered more than 1,000 signatures.
On Tuesday, Skiles told the Salem News that the commission would hold a special session this week to rescind the order “out of respect for veterans and those currently serving in the military.”
“This political showcase is hurtful personally to several residents of Dent County and the surrounding area, which seems counter-intuitive to Jesus Christ’s message of ‘love thy neighbor’ for those of the Christian faith, of which most, if not all, of the commissioners prescribe,” the petition said.
Asked if displaying such a symbol in the same place that same-sex couples must obtain their marriage licenses sent a message, Skiles told BuzzFeed News: “That’s for every couple to decide.”
Members of the military opposed the commission’s proposal because it violates flag protocol.
According to the U.S. Flag Code, American flags can only be lowered to half-staff to honor veterans or fallen soldiers, to memorialize government leaders, to observe designated holidays or when ordered by the governor or the president.
Scott Walker Openly Constitutional Ban On Marriage Equality
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| Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker |
Now here’s a winning formula to become the next president of the United States: oppose an idea that currently enjoys the support of 60% of Americans.
GOP presidential hopeful Scott Walker said this today about marriage equality – considered settled law by the U.S. Supreme Court:
“Our conservative values were handed a big blow with the recent Supreme Court ruling. Let me be very clear: this decision was a grave mistake. Five unelected judges took it upon themselves to take that responsibility away from the states and redefine the institution of marriage.
“In 2006, I voted to amend my state constitution to protect the institution of marriage because I believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. I believe that the states have the right to define marriage.
“To protect this right, I support an amendment to the United States Constitution to reaffirm the ability of the states to continue to define marriage.”
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Jumps Into 2016 GOP Race
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker officially announced his presidential campaign today, joining an already crowded field of GOP hopefuls.
In advance of today’s announcement, CNN’s Dana Bash traveled to Madison to speak with Walker’s sons – 21 year old Matt and 19 year old Alex.
It turns out that Matt and Alex, like the vast majority of younger Americans, are both supporters of marriage equality. Gov. Walker, however, is decidedly not. He called the Supreme Court’s ruling last month a “grave mistake” and has tested the waters with an idea of a constitutional amendment to allow states to continue banning same-sex marriage.
Bash asked the two sons about their father’s negative reaction to the historic SCOTUS ruling, and how they feel about his position on same-sex marriage.
“We talked to him, like any family we have disagreements,” said Matt . “He just explained his position and that was it.”
“Matt and I aren’t necessarily changing his stances on any issues,” added Alex. “We respect his opinion on things.”
Walker is considered a GOP front-runner along with Jeb Bush, both of whom are expected to be competitive in a general election.
We shall see about that.
Social Experiment: Two Men Hold Hands In Russia
As a social experiment, two guys hold hands while taking a walk in Russia.
The reactions are, sadly, what you might expect.
Throughout the “experiment” the reactions range from rude stares to ugly expletives to physical “body checks.” In the screen capture above, you can see the wide open sidewalk, but the man on the right makes a point of roughly “bumping” into the men.
Almost a million views in a day.
Texas County Clerk Resigns Rather Than Issue Marriage License To Same-Sex Couples
Joyce Lewis-Kugle, clerk for Rusk County Texas, has decided she would rather resign from her position than issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Good riddance. Government officials don’t get to pick and choose which duties they will and will not carry out.
Apparently, Lewis-Kugle felt issuing a marriage license would somehow constitute taking part in the marriage, which she opposes on the basis of her chosen religion.
In 1967, several county clerks took a similar position with interracial couples who sought to marry.
Ms. Lewis-Kugle sought legal advice from the county’s district attorney, Michael Jimerson, about whether she could legally deny to serve gay and lesbian couples.
D.A. Jimerson told reporters he advised Ms. Lewis-Krugle (photo right) that if she followed the attorney general’s advice, she could expect to be sued. Mr. Jimerson said he told her:
“The Supreme Court is the law of the land. You can either resign in protest or issue the licenses.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently advised county clerks that they could deny licenses to same-sex couples, and he would assist those clerks with finding free legal representation.
A deputy clerk for Rusk county told reporters the county has not yet received an application for a marriage licenses from a same-sex couple, but that when it does, the office will process the request.
California: Stockton Police Lieutenant Pens Anti-Gay Marriage Letter
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| Stockton Police Lt. Toby Will |
A Stockton police lieutenant’s 282 word letter to the editor of the Stockton Record contains not only strong anti-homosexual language, but upon his insistence his title and rank with the police department.
The letter is causing controversy in the California city.
Lt.Toby Will, a former Marine and 25-year veteran of the Stockton Police Department, wrote a 282-word letter to the editor of the Stockton Record which was published in Wednesday’s edition under the heading “Marriage ruling shuns God.”
The letter claims those who live according to “vile and sinful passions” will be met with the wrath of God. “…when the highest office in the land publicly declares the legitimizing of homosexuality to be a great victory for the nation, you can be sure that God is giving that nation over to its own destruction,” Will wrote.
Stockton Assemblywoman Susan Eggman, chair of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender caucus, said she was shocked when she read the editorial page Wednesday morning.
“I choked on my coffee,” she said in her Capitol office. Eggman, who is in a same-sex marriage, believes the now-public views of a high-ranking police official could bring fear to Stockton’s gay community.
“When you need to call 911, you should feel safe that the person who responds is there to support you no matter who you are,” Eggman said
I believe in freedom of speech/expression, so the act of writing the letter is what it is. I don’t know what the Stockton Police Department’s policy is, though, on public statements specifically using your title and rank. We shall see.
Alabama: 13 Counties Still Refuse To Issue Marriage Licenses To Same-Sex Couples
