2 Lives for 2 Dollars

[PanzerJaeger]

This is a particularly sad story. Its because of cases such as this that I recently got my carry permit as soon as I turned 21. The police couldn't do a thing to stop this.

The men arrested in the slayings of an aspiring Christian singer and his colleague at a Texas recording studio said in a chilling jailhouse interview the victims were killed at random in a robbery that netted only $2.

Cousins James Broadnax and Demarius Dwight Cummings, both 19, face capital murder charges in the deaths of singer Matthew Butler, a father of two, and Stephen Swan, his employee, outside Butler's Christian recording studio, Zion Gate Records in Garland, Texas.

Broadnax and Cummings, speaking to MyFOXDFW.com from the Dallas County Jail, told the station of their plans to rob somebody the night of June 18. They traveled by train from Dallas to the suburb of Garland because "that's where all the rich white folks stay at," Broadnax said.

Their targets turned out to be Butler, 28, and Swan, 26.

"I made sure they was dead," Broadnax told MyFOXDFW.com

His voice wavering, Broadnax recounted in blood-curdling detail how he shot the men to death in a parking lot outside the recording studio after Cummings asked for a cigarette.

"I just blanked the out," Broadnax said. "I shot him [Butler] and he stumbled back. I shot the driver [Swan]. He hit the ground, you know what I'm saying, but he leaned up like he was going to try to get back up, so I shot him in the head.

"Then his homeboy, I shot his --- again, you know what I'm saying, but he was still trying to run off," he continued. "I knew he was going to die anyway, but just to make sure — pop, pop."

Broadnax said he shot Butler twice in the head.

Cummings told the station that he and his cousin had traded an AK-47 as collateral for a pistol to use during what he thought would just be a robbery.

"We didn't plan to shoot nobody and nothing like that," Cummings told MyFOXDFW.com. "No, I take that back. I did tell him we'd probably have to pop them a few times or whatever. I did. But still, I didn't think he was going to do it."

After the men were shot, Cummings said he took car keys and a wallet from Swan, but the wallet contained only $2.

"I ain't never seen nobody die like that, you know," Cummings said. "It kind of shocked me, you know what I'm saying. I was shook."

The men fled to an aunt's house, where they changed clothes, then stashed the pistol at Cummings' girlfriend's place, according to the interviews.

The cousins pawned some tools in Swan's vehicle and changed the car's plates before moving on, they said.

Authorities caught up with Broadnax and Cummings on June 20 in Texarkana in one of the victims' vehicles. A third man was in the car and but later was cleared of any involvement in the murders by Garland police.

Cummings, who insisted "I didn't kill anyone," appeared to have some remorse when asked about the crime.

"I feel real bad, you know," he told MyFOXDFW.com. "I feel it was wrong what we did."

But Broadnax, who described his life as "hell," showed little remorse.

"I kind of regret what I did, but things can't change so no use crying over it," Broadnax said.

When asked about what he would say to the victims' families, Broadnax replied, " 'em."

A joint memorial service for Butler and Swan was held Monday.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,371101,00.html

[FactionHeir]

Very sad story.
I do think Broadnax deserves death row for the double murder and showing no remorse and Cummings should get life in prison for involvement and not stopping him. One could argue the murders were also racially motivated by Braodnax's statement that "that's were all the rich white folks stay at".

Still, if the victims had had guns, they still wouldn't have had a chance to return fire from the way the story is told.

[Husar]

Yes and no, killing the killer and locking the guy who feels bad up for life sounds like you're punishing the remorseful guy harder.

That many victims wouldn't get a chance to shoot back anyway has been my point for a long time, any remotely clever criminal will pop a bullet in yer head before ye can properly draw that gun of yours. Another sad thing is that their afroamerican slang made me smile, I can't help but find it funny.

[naut]

One could argue the murders were also racially motivated by Braodnax's statement that "that's were all the rich white folks stay at".

No, race is not an issue here, and shouldn't even be considered. The only thing these men were intelligent enough to do was find the best area to target, which happened to be a predominately white middle class suburb. Also the murders were not premeditated, they weren't going there to kill somebody, they were going there to intimidate some people into handing over their valuables. Saying that it's "racially motivated" is the kind of media spin that blows it all out of proportion.

[Fragony]

A complete lack of empathy is scary as hell.

edit, agree with Rythmic, reminds me of that jewish guy in Paris, they picked him because they thought all jews are rich. This is stupidity to the extreme not a hatecrime.

[Redleg]

No, race is not an issue here, and shouldn't even be considered. The only thing these men were intelligent enough to do was find the best area to target, which happened to be a predominately white middle class suburb. Also the murders were not premeditated, they weren't going there to kill somebody, they were going there to intimidate some people into handing over their valuables. Saying that it's "racially motivated" is the kind of media spin that blows it all out of proportion.

Actually the area in which they chose to target is not a white middle class suburb. Garland is one of the larger cities in the Metroplex that is Dallas, and is not as predominately white middle class as the criminals would like to believe. It would definitely be better area then the two criminals came from, but not by much.

The two metro train stops in Garland happen to be in two different Business districts - the one downtown garland is what you would expect of a small town some businesses, churches, and lower middleclass homes, this area happens to be a mixed population of all three racial groups. The other stop happens to be right in the middle of a transfer hub for the Bus, Taxies, and the train, far away from any homes.

So no these men were not intelligent enough to even target the right area - if they were they would of went into North Dallas on the Train, or even gone just a few more miles east to Rockwall. What they are just petty knucklehead criminals who decided to rob someone because they wanted to. The crime is pre-mediated in the simple fact that their sole intent was to go commit a crime, so the murder can be considered premediated, their own statment would indicate that they intended to shoot someone during the robbery. So the its not a pre-mediated murder arguement is somewhat invalid. When you plan on shooting someone its a pre-mediated act.

Edit: Should it be a captial case - IMO let them rot in a 6 x 8 cell for the next 40 years will do more good then executing them. I save my capital crimes cries for those involved in the rapping/killing of children.

[Ice]

Max security prison- Life- Parole after 25 years.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Edit: Should it be a captial case - IMO let them rot in a 6 x 8 cell for the next 40 years will do more good then executing them. I save my capital crimes cries for those involved in the rapping/killing of children.

Read the new SCOTUS ruling that killing child rapists doesn't fit the 'evolving standards of decency'? Odd, since in a poll on CNN, 75% of people thought that capital punishment should be applied at times to child rapists. **** liberal court.

That many victims wouldn't get a chance to shoot back anyway has been my point for a long time,

You're mistaken. These guys had a chance, they didn't have a gun. Read where the killer says he shot the victims, they were still moving, so he shot them again.

In another incident, some criminals came up behind a guy with a gun as he was entering his home. So he had a gun pointed at his back, but he was still able to draw his gun, fumble with it, and shoot them to drive them off, though he also got shot. But he lived.

CR

[Marshal Murat]

Read the new SCOTUS ruling that killing child rapists doesn't fit the 'evolving standards of decency'? Odd, since in a poll on CNN, 75% of people thought that capital punishment should be applied at times to child rapists. **** liberal court.

Judges aren't mediators of public opinion but of common sense.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Their excuse for legislating from the bench was public opinion.

CR

[rotorgun]

If they need anyone to help out on the firing squad detail, I'll be available unitil next Febraury (when I get deployed overseas). It's really no bother, I'll even do it just for my expenses in fuel, lodging, and food. Heck I'll even buy the bullets if they want me to. As far`as I'm concerned it's just 2 murdering boneheads for 2 bullets, what maybe less than 2 Dollars? No problem, I'll shoot thier -----, ya know what I'm sayin'.

Good greif!

[Adrian II]

Read the new SCOTUS ruling that killing child rapists doesn't fit the 'evolving standards of decency'?

Have you read it yourself? I doubt it.

In the Court's opinion, 'standards' do not equal the latest opinion poll.

Also, I find it endearing that you try to use every criminal case that comes up on this forum to demonstrate the usefulness of carrying a gun. I mean, we know you support a person's constitutional right to carry a gun on principle. There is no need (nor is there any factual basis) to support it on utilitarian grounds, let alone in each and every case that makes the headlines.

[Redleg]

Read the new SCOTUS ruling that killing child rapists doesn't fit the 'evolving standards of decency'? Odd, since in a poll on CNN, 75% of people thought that capital punishment should be applied at times to child rapists. **** liberal court.

Oh the rapping/killing of a child does meet the capitl punishment application - since the death of the child is involved in the crime. Sorry to burst your bubble here Crazed Rabbit, but I agree with SCOTUS the rape of a child doesn't merit the death penelty - just throw them in with the general population - since they are seen as the bottom of the criminal totem pole, the other criminals more then insure child rappists get an adequate punishment for their crime.

[Flying Pig]

Cummings should get life in prison for involvement and not stopping him.

Only the french have an inaction law, and that says something. It cannot be illegal to FAIL TO PREVENT a breach of the law. Aiding a breach yes, but standing idly by can't be made punishable. The frogs just end up in a long chain of yelling 'HELP!' anyway :-)

I notice liberal is a derogatory term - over here liberals are 'nice guys'

[FactionHeir]

Germany does too actually

[PanzerJaeger]

Oh the rapping/killing of a child does meet the capitl punishment application - since the death of the child is involved in the crime. Sorry to burst your bubble here Crazed Rabbit, but I agree with SCOTUS the rape of a child doesn't merit the death penelty - just throw them in with the general population - since they are seen as the bottom of the criminal totem pole, the other criminals more then insure child rappists get an adequate punishment for their crime.

This is a rather odd view of criminal justice. Let the other prisoners do the punishing.

[Redleg]

This is a rather odd view of criminal justice. Let the other prisoners do the punishing.

You ever been to a prison? Its not so odd of a view at all. The criminal justice system places them in prison for thier crime, ie child rapist normally go to jail for a double digit number of years. That is the criminal justice system. It seems that criminals meek out their own justice on those who commit crimes against childern. I am perfectly fine with both justice systems working the way it does.

[Craterus]

Technically the car(s) they stole are worth more than ...nothing... so the act was worth more than $2.

And hey, why does it always have to be about money? What happened to just shooting people for the thrill of it? It's as good an excuse as any.

[FactionHeir]

And hey, why does it always have to be about money? What happened to just shooting people for the thrill of it? It's as good an excuse as any.

Been to a training camp recently?

[Crazed Rabbit]

You ever been to a prison? Its not so odd of a view at all. The criminal justice system places them in prison for thier crime, ie child rapist normally go to jail for a double digit number of years. That is the criminal justice system. It seems that criminals meek out their own justice on those who commit crimes against childern. I am perfectly fine with both justice systems working the way it does.

Sorry, but I think punting the punishment off to the 'general pop' of a prison is morally weak. It's like we're washing our hands of it but the result is the same, just done by other people.

CR

[Adrian II]

It seems that criminals meek out their own justice on those who commit crimes against childern. I am perfectly fine with both justice systems working the way it does.

Do you condone prison rape, torture and murder (the usual 'punishments' meted out by inmates)? Do you condone the usual inmate hierarchy and value system that impose such 'punishments', a system in which drug dealers and unreconstructed murderers are top of the heap? That's a funny notion of justice. In fact such 'trial by criminal' is the exact opposite of justice.

Haha, imagine the outcry when this principle were accepted in society. A disobedient kid in class would be thrown to the class bullies: "Here kids, do with him whatever you like, you've got the teacher's backing."

[Redleg]

Do you condone prison rape, torture and murder (the usual 'punishments' meted out by inmates)? Do you condone the usual inmate hierarchy and value system that impose such 'punishments', a system in which drug dealers and unreconstructed murderers are top of the heap? That's a funny notion of justice. In fact such 'trial by criminal' is the exact opposite of justice.

Haha, imagine the outcry when this principle were accepted in society. A disobedient kid in class would be thrown to the class bullies: "Here kids, do with him whatever you like, you've got the teacher's backing."

Funny thing Adrian the principle is accepted by all societies that have prisons where the general population is allowed to intermingle.

In fact I will buy you the internet version of a cup of coffee if you can show one prison with a general population that does not have just this usual inmate hierarchy.

Sorry, but I think punting the punishment off to the 'general pop' of a prison is morally weak. It's like we're washing our hands of it but the result is the same, just done by other people.

The bad thing there Rabbit is that I am not putting off the punishment society has determined is proportional to the crime committed, I am saying that capitial punishment is not warranted for rape, and that the general population also meeks out its own punishment to such individuals.

Its not putting off the punishment - its acknowledging that there is two systems involved.

If you don't want two forms of punishment involved in the current penal system - it will require that every individual be placed into a 6 x 8 cell by themselves, or upon conviction all criminals are executed. Both are not realistic or portional to the crimes being committed

[Adrian II]

In fact I will buy you the internet version of a cup of coffee if you can show one prison with a general population that does not have just this usual inmate hierarchy.

Indeed, it is the same everywhere. But that doesn't make it right.

Now, I will buy you a virtual coffee if you can defend your own statement that 'I am perfectly fine with both justice systems working the way it does'.

Leaving justice to criminals negates the very concept of justice, right?

[Fragony]

Don't think this can be properly translated to english, but there's justice and 'gerechtigheid'.

[Redleg]

Indeed, it is the same everywhere. But that doesn't make it right.

Now did I say or even imply that it was right? Or did I say it will be what it will be?

Now, I will buy you a virtual coffee if you can defend your own statement that 'I am perfectly fine with both justice systems working the way it does'.

Nothing to defend, since one can not change the way the system works, unless one is willing to resort to either more death penelties or locking all prisoners into a 6 x 8 cell by themselves. I see both alternatives as more inhumane then the current system. And I am unwilling to allow those convicted of crimes to escape the judicial justice system because of the un-official justice system done by prisoners within the penal system.

Leaving justice to criminals negates the very concept of justice, right?

Only if I advocated that all individuals accused of a crime being tried by the criminals. Fortunely for you that I believe the judicial system is adequate for providing what punishment society believes warrants the crime for the most part. My one expection is those involved with rapping children - physcial castration is inhuman, and falls into the catergory of cruel and unusual so I will just have to be satified that the justice system locks them up in the penal system, and criminals view those individuals as the lower then anyother type of criminal.

[Adrian II]

Nothing to defend, since one can not change the way the system works, unless one is willing to resort to either more death penelties or locking all prisoners into a 6 x 8 cell by themselves.

Okay, well, one can prevent or contain the worst consequences. I detest prison directors who strike a 'deal' with inmates to let them run the place in exchange for 'peace and quiet'. Anything remotely resembling that will never get you a coffee with me.

Okay, well, supposing we're agreed then.. here you go. Milk and sugar coming up.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Don't think this can be properly translated to english, but there's justice and 'gerechtigheid'.

Sure it can be translated. It is an ancient legal philosophical distinction that has found it's way into many languages. Justice as opposed to rightousness / rectitude is what you mean.




Frog > Frag.

[Fragony]

Sure it can be translated. It is an ancient legal philosophical distinction that has found it's way into many languages. Justice as opposed to rightousness / rectitude is what you mean.




Frog > Frag.

Thank you kindly for pointing that out to me, indeed that is the proper way to do it, I humbly thank you and bow down for your wisdom.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Thank you kindly for pointing that out to me, indeed that is the proper way to do it, I humbly thank you and bow down for your wisdom.

I'm too late!! The post has already been edited by the daisy meister. Now I'll never know if I've missed out on a Fragony classic...

('t was just a dictionary, Frags. Law, philosophy, theology or theories of justice are not national phenomena. All the deep currents spring forth from the same wells that that together constitute Western Civilisation. Many predate national states and even our languages. A quick dictionary visit solved it.)

Underneath a cold outer layer of slimey amphibian repulsiveness, many frogs are cute and cuddly fairy-tale princes, so I've brought you some flowers to make up for sounding like a pedantic twit:

[Fragony]

You are talking to the wrong non-frog I like frogs but maybe that is just because I need to feel special.