Jackson, Mississippi: Horrifying racist murder of Black worker
Posted by kasama on August 8, 2011
Jackson, Mississippi (CNN) — On a recent Sunday morning just before dawn, two carloads of white teenagers drove to Jackson, Mississippi, on what the county district attorney says was a mission of hate: to find and hurt a black person.
In a parking lot on the western side of town they found their victim.
James Craig Anderson, a 49-year-old auto plant worker, was standing in a parking lot, near his car. The teens allegedly beat Anderson repeatedly, yelled racial epithets, including “White Power!” according to witnesses.
Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith says a group of the teens then climbed into their large Ford F250 green pickup truck, floored the gas, and drove the truck right over Anderson, killing him instantly.
Mississippi officials say it was a racially motivated murder. What the gang of teens did not know was that a surveillance camera was focused on the parking lot that night, and many of the events, including the actual murder of Anderson, were captured live on videotape.
CNN has exclusively obtained that surveillance tape. The group of teens that night was led by 18-year-old Deryl Dedmon, Jr., of Brandon, Mississippi, according to police and officials.
“This was a crime of hate. Dedmon murdered this man because he was black,” said Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith. “The evidence will show that.”
Asked if there could be any doubt whether the intent was to actually hurt and kill a black person, Smith responded: “No doubt about it. They were going out to look for a black victim to assault, and in this case, even kill.”
Dedmon led and instigated the attack from early in the evening, he took part in the beating of Anderson, and Dedmon was also the actual driver of the Ford 250 truck that would serve as the murder weapon, according to officials.
As the teens were partying and drinking miles away from Jackson that night, in largely white Rankin County, Dedmon told friends they should leave, saying “let’s go fuck with some niggers,” according to law enforcement officials.
Then, the gang of teens climbed into Dedmon’s green truck and a white SUV Cherokee, and drove 16 miles down Interstate 20, to the western edge of Jackson, a predominantly black area.
The teens would have seen Anderson immediately as they exited the highway, as the parking lot where he was standing is just beside the exit ramp.
“This is the first business that you get to coming off the highway and so that was the first person that was out here and vulnerable,” said district attorney Smith.
On the videotape, obtained and reviewed by CNN, the group of teens is seen pulling into the parking lot, and stopping where Anderson is standing, though he is just off camera and not visible.
The teens can then be seen going back and forth between their cars and Anderson. Witnesses told law enforcement officials this is when the repeated beatings of Anderson took place.
Dedmon pummeled Anderson repeatedly as he crumpled to the street, according to officials, though this is not visible in the videotape. Finally, after the beating some of the teens left and some got into the green truck.
At this moment on the video, Anderson becomes visible, as he staggered into view and walked towards the headlights of the truck. The truck suddenly surges ahead, running over Anderson, then continuing at high speed away from the scene.
Shortly after he allegedly drove the truck over Anderson, Dedmon allegedly boasted and laughed about the killing, according to testimony given by some of the teens to detectives.
“I ran that nigger over,” Dedmon allegedly said in a phone conversation to the teens in the other car.
He repeated the racial language in subsequent conversations, according to the law enforcement officials.
“He was not remorseful he was laughing, laughing about the killing,” said district attorney Smith.
Later that morning, James Craig Anderson’s family learned their 49-year-old brother and son died in a hit and run. Only later, when witness statements were taken did they learn the real horror.
“It appears there is no doubt that this was a racially motivated killing,” said Winston Thompson, the attorney representing Anderson’s family. “The family is still in shock still in disbelief.”
Smith and officials in the Hinds County District Attorney’s office say they plan to indict Dedmon for murder and a hate crime.
Deryl Dedmon is thin, weighing a mere 130 pounds, and short — at 5 feet; he has straggly blond hair and piercing blue eyes.
The teen, just 18 years old, has been charged with murder and now faces a possible double life sentence. Calls to Deryl Dedmon’s attorney have gone unanswered.
During a bond hearing his attorney told the court he saw nothing to back up the “racial allegations.”
At Dedmon’s home, a girl who answered the door pretended not to know him though the pick-up truck he allegedly used as a murder weapon sticks out of the family’s garage.
Police say they returned it after the vehicle was processed. A second teen, 18-year-old John Aaron Rice, has been charged with simple assault, for his part in the beating his attorney also did not return calls.
Neither teen has entered a plea.
The other teens in the group have not been charged.
And James Craig Anderson’s family has decided to remain silent for now, trying to come to grips with a crime they thought was in Mississippi’s past: the murder of a man just because he was black.
Carl Davidson said
Now, turn the colors around, and ask yourself would only the driver have been charged with murder–and you’ll see the white-skin privilege in action.
Nikki Mac said
Look at where they are trying the case?! This makes me sick to my stomach!
Dj McGhee said
Where is Nancy Grace?
Gregory A. Butler (@GREGORYABUTLER) said
Everybody in that entire group should be charged with accessory to second degree murder. As for the young racist in the pickup truck, I hope he dies in Parchman, either the slow way (natural causes after a life sentence without parole) or the fast way (via a needle on death row).
Simon Bolivar said
Sickening, hopefully they’ll get theirs. This only continually shows that racist abuse continues to occur and can only be stopped through the armed self-defense of the black community.
Blake Edward Burns said
“John Aaron Rice, left, has been charged with simple assault.”
“The other teens in the group have not been charged.”
AMERICA, WHERE PREMEDITATED MURDER IS A-OKAY IF YOU’RE A WHITE TEENAGER!
Fuck them all. [moderator snip]
Brian Wiles said
WWJBD? What Would John Brown Do? Pottawatomie 1856.
marteze ford said
Wow! Decades after the Civil Rights Act, hundereds of years after disgrace, disrespect of huMANkind. Somewhere along the lines, People (white supremacist) are teaching their children still to hate the color of a person’s skin. Some body tell me why? Why must they treat us so bad? Let’s face it..these were teenagers. I don’t condone their actions at all, I trust the justice system will serve them well and they will get what they deserve. But the big issue is that their mothers,fathers, grandfathers,etc..thought these innocent minded youths the knowledge of white supremacy. I’m done……..May God Bless them all..Black People, White People, Yellow People, All People stand up and do something about this…..
BamDaDreamer……
Mike E said
[moderator note: please do not propose illegal acts on this site.]
SKS said
Welcome to post-racial USA :)
Regina D Waller Eiland said
I AGREE TOTALLY WITH CARL DAVIDSON! (8/8/2011 @9:57 AM) HAD THIS BEEN A GROUP OF BLACK TEENS WHO’D COMMITTED THIS CRIME AGAINST A WHITE MAN, EVERY SINGLE ONE WOULD’VE BEEN CHARGED, AND THE LEAST CHARGE (IF THEY DIDN’T ALL GET THE SAME THING; WHICH, NO DOUBT THEY WOULD HAVE) WOULD HAVE BEEN AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. “SIMPLE ASSAULT”? WHICH WAS PART OF AN ACT THAT LED TO THE DEATH OF AN INNOCENT MAN? EVEN THE FEMALES IN THE TRUCK (HAD ALL THE ANIMALS BEEN BLACK, INSTEAD OF WHITE) WOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED. THE MEDIA CONTINUALLY REFERS TO THESE LOW-LIFE, (MIDDLE CLASS), PIECES OF “WASTED SKIN”, AS THE “YOUNG TEENS”! THEY ARE ALL ADULTS; OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE, TO FIGHT FOR THEIR COUNTRY TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS, TO BE SOMEBODY’S “GIRLFRIEND” IN PRISON, ETC.
THIS COUNTRY KNOWS THOSE HOODLUMS SHOULD BE TRIED IN THE SAME COUNTY WHERE THEY DROVE TO COMMIT SUCH A HEINOUS ACT! NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE. IN THE EYES OF “WHITE AMERICA”, IT’S JUST ANOTHA’ NIGGA’ DEAD! NO BIG DEAL!
Regina D Waller Eiland said
BY THE WAY, I WOULDN’T SAY I WATCH THE NEWS 24/7, BUT WHY IS IT THAT SO FEW PEOPLE HAVE HEARD OF THIS STORY UNTIL NOW? THIS HAPPENED IN JUNE! IT TOOK TWO MONTHS FOR EVEN SOME OF THE RESIDENTS OF MISSISSIPPI TO KNOW THIS UNTHINKABLE ACT OCCURRED? THE MEDIA IS SO PROFICIENT AT INFORMING CITIZENS (AND NON-CITIZENS) OF THIS COUNTRY ABOUT ANY NEGATIVE ACTIONS CARRIED OUT BY BLACKS; AND I MEAN IMMEDIATELY, AND REPEATEDLY! I ALSO MUST ADDRESS AGAIN, THOUGH I MAY BE PARAPHRASING, THE USE OF THE WORDS, YOUNG TEENS. WE ALL KNOW THAT IF THESE “MEN” HAD BEEN BLACK, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO AS “THE BLACK MALES”, “THE BLACK MEN”, ETC. THEY MAY HAVE EVEN BEEN REFERRED TO AS THE “DEAD BLACK MALES” WHO WERE SOMEHOW SHOT DOWN BY POLICE OFFICERS.I’ LIKE TO POSE THE SAME QUESTION AS DJ MCGHEE (8/8/2011 – 6:02 PM): “WHERE IS NANCY GRACE”? OH! I MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN….SHE’S WHITE!
Regina D Waller Eiland said
CORRECTION: “I’D” LIKE TO POSE A QUESTION….
Neicy Thomas said
Lord Jesus hard evidance it is still going on. You know we can feel it sometimes and see decrimination happen but can’t quite prove it. This right here is in your face and should not be allowed to be swept under the rug or heads to be turned to this racist issue. Lord I pray for his family and I pray for the teens and whoever taught them that ignorant stuff that they turn away from such hatetread. Amen.
BJ said
BJ
WHERE THE FUCK IN NANCY GRACE AND HER CREW, CNN ANDERSON COOPER ,MSNBC,AND THE REST OF WHITE TV, I GUESS IF THIS WERE A LITTLE WHITE GIRL THEY WOULD BE ALL OVER THIS SHIT LIKE WHITE ON RICE, PEOPLE WAKE UP, AMERICA IS STILL RACIST. I HOPE THEY BOTH BECOME BECOME BIG BLACK BUBBA’S BITCHES IN JAIL, HOW ABOUT THAT.
Red Fly said
Regina writes:
Absolutely. You can be damn sure that if it was a white girl murdered the media would be giving this non-stop coverage. But in the U.S.K.K.K.A. it barely gets a mention. Remember, this is the era of “post-racial America,” and the last thing the corporate propaganda machine wants to do is undermine this myth.
Anthony Bernard Wade Dallas Texas said
i grew up in mississippi all of my life. i cannot believe this is happening here. it is 2011, we have a black president. i believe racism will never end in America
Joe Jay said
[moderator snip of racist comment]
Danielle Travis said
PPL REALLY HAVE NO FEAR IN THE LORD THESE DAYS, BUT THEY WILL MEET THEIR MAKER SOON….WHEN GOD COMES, HE’S COMING WITH VENGANCE FOR SURE…I FEEL SOO SORRY 4 PPL WHO DON’T KNOW GOD…HOPEFULLY THEY WILL B4 IT IS TOOOOO LATE.
jayson said
Take Action!
Please contact the U.S. Department of Justice and tell them you want a federal government investigation into the death of James Anderson & Frederick Jermaine Carter so that the truth can finally come out. Don’t let the state of Miss. cover up the truth any longer.
Contact the U.S. Department of Justice:
By Mail:
Correspondence to the Department, including the Attorney General, may be sent to:
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
By Phone:
Department of Justice Main Switchboard – 202-514-2000
Office of the Attorney General Public Comment Line – 202-353-1555
E-Mail:
AskDOJ@usdoj.gov
Frederick Douglass said “power concedes nothing without a demand”
Felicia Wooten said
In do time this going to create a disturbance to sveral blacks in the Mississippi area. Our colored people we must not act with hate in our hearts for the actions that lead to a colored death out of hate because of the person’s color. We as colored people have been & for the looks of this economy will be dealing with racism for the rest of our lives. I would like to say that yes it was very wrong for that situation to happen to Mr. Anderson, but we as God’s children that are trying to live right to forgive them for there sins. In do time the Master of us all will be the one that they will have to deal with when the time comes. We are strong colored people that knows deep in our hearts that we will be the one’s who will survive and make it to the promise land. I know that I should be negative about this, but I lived in Mississippi for most of my life and have been threw enough of the racism that ifrom groing up to the point that I see it and don’t see it. I don’t give that person or person’s that i run into the satisfaction of showing them my reaction to there ignorance behavior. So to my Nergo brother & sisters just leave it all in God’s hands and pray that he has mercy on there “SOULS”. My thoughts and prayer goes out to the Anderson Family!!
Heru'sen Sehker said
when will we come together and let “white america” know we will no longer tolerate this ish, we been letiing white trash do this to us far to long< stand up AFRIKANS, they wont take us serious because we dont take ourselves serious< we as a people lack unity< but in recent months I have seen black teenagers unite< unfortunately the results were violent for the "whitey"< but they did unite< so UNGAWA BLACK POWER
Robert said
We cannot take this laying down. We have to mobilize, protest, demostrate, facilitate, and motivate each other towards a very strong response against this terrible, heinous, and ultimately cowardly act. We must because we are fighting for our very lives and the lives of our fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, children, and our friends. We cannot allow open season on our people who are citizens of this land of who, the last i heard are suppose to be protected from such acts of mindless brutality. We must DEMAND justice for the family of our brother Mr. Anderson. We must stand with them for justice or we will fall and perish in a sea of injustice.
Concerned American said
In todays America it is sad that this type of ignorance is still taking place. If this case plays out were those who were also in the vehicle are not being charged with conspiracy, then I hope ever African American youth that has been charged with the “because I was there charge” goes in for an appealing those charges and use this case as an example on why the charges should be dropped.
Tweet @BlackLoveGuru said
Amazing how many people carry mad racist views but manage to look like normal folk Check the novel “Angry People Smiling” based on the racist murders of Stephen Lawrence, Rolan Adams, Imran Khan, Rohit Duggal, Michael Menson, Ali Ibrahim, Riki Reel, Manish Patel, Donna O’Dwyer, Liam Harrison, Joy Gardner and countless others. Get it from Amazon or anywhere else, but you need to get it because it will make you think.
Listening an Learning said
Just learning of this case and somewhere I read that Deryl Dedmon is the nephew of MS’s ex congressman Wayne Dowdy. However if it is, it sheds some light on a few things!
engelsigh said
This makes me sick. Two cars full of teenagers and only 2 are getting charged, one of them with simple assault? He should at least be accessory to murder. Things like this are why I’m pursuing a degree in law. We need need equality and justice across the board – not based on color of skin, or who you know.