Morris Dees & Billy Ray Johnson leaving
the courthouse in Linden, Texas.
The jury awarded Mr. Johnson $9 million.
Last week a jury in Linden, Texas awarded Mr. Billy Ray Johnson $9 million, by delivering a unanimous verdict against the men responsible for the brutal attack on Billy Ray Johnson.
Billy Ray, is the mentally challenged black man who was brought to a late-night “pasture party” as the evening’s entertainment, taunted with racial insults, beaten unconscious and then dumped along a remote country road by a group of four white men in 2003.
Billy Ray suffered permanent, debilitating brain damage and will require lifelong care. But the men responsible received only slaps on the wrists by their local criminal justice system.
Many whites in the town blamed Billy Ray for what happened.
A civil suit to expose the truth and to seek justice for Billy Ray by Morris Dees.
Last Friday the jury awarded Billy Ray Johnson a $9 million verdict.
Jurors were outraged by the callous indifference shown by the defendants. One juror said after the verdict: “No one — no one — should have to go through what this man went through. And no amount of money can fix that.”
The White Bigots — Clockwise from top left are James Cory Hicks, Dallas Chadwick Stone, John Wesley Owens and Christopher Colt Amox.
“Mr. Johnson was referred to as an ‘it’ by Mr. Hicks [defendant]. He’s not an ‘it,’ he’s a person” - Johnson trial juror
Of course, the defendants do not have $9 million. But the verdict sends the nation a powerful message about justice and fairness — and Billy’s attorneys intend to collect every dime that they can for him.
Billy Ray was treated like trash by men who thought no one cared. But the jury told the nation that he is a human being who deserves to be treated with dignity — that the life of each of us–rich or poor, black or white, abled or disabled–is truly precious.
Notes:
– Will Billy Ray get any of this judgement? Reports indicate that the defendants are already applying for Bankcruptcy Protection! Some Justice!!
– Read more about the trial in the Texarkana Gazette and watch coverage of the trial this Wednesday on CNN’s Paula Zahn at 8 p.m. EDT and ABC’s Nightline at 11:30 p.m. EDT. (subject to change - check your local listings)
– More Reading: Center seeks damages for injured man
– Posting material obtained from the Southern Poverty Law Center email newsletter –> by Morris Dees [Founder of SPL Center] | Hate Watch! — The Intelligence Report
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