Summary
One of the most disturbing trials in Long Beach's recent history ended Friday with guilty verdicts against nine black juveniles who were accused of the beatings of three white women on Halloween in Bixby Knolls. Eight of the juveniles were convicted of hate crimes. Five, who are over age 16, will have a strike on their criminal records.
The three-month trial was heard by a Juvenile Court judge, who also will mete out sentences. The trial was marked by national press coverage, rallies by the defendants' families, violent witness intimidation and criticism of some of the judge's decisions. The Press-Telegram did not report last names of the three women who were attacked, or the names of the defendants and witnesses.See the full content of this document
Extract
Thoughts About the Bixby Trial
After the verdicts were delivered, Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster told a KNX reporter that a crime like this could have happened anywhere.
Each Wednesday we invite readers to give us their opinions on a topic in the news. This week's questions (readers could answer any or all of the questions):Based on what you have read and know about the case, do you think the verdicts were justified? Do you think juveniles charged with felonies should be identified in news reports? Do you think the names of witnesses should be reported, as they were in the L.A. Times? Should juveniles be subject to a "strike" on their criminal ...See the full content of this document
Sponsored links
