Two White Men Released From Texas Jail; Charges Dropped in Dragging Death of Black Ma

The Godfather · 06-06-2009, 02:21 AM

Shannon Finley and Charles Crostley were the prime suspects in the dragging death of a black man in east Texas. The murder charges for which they were standing trial were dropped at the prosecution's request Thursday (June 4) afternoon.

Finley and Crostley were arrested in September for hitting Brandon McClelland, 24, with a pick-up truck. The bizarre details behind the story are still sketchy and lack witnesses to solidify what is already a lack of evidence.

The suspects and McClelland were believed to be friends and were making a late night beer run to the neighboring state of Oklahoma when the incident took place. The victim allegedly opted to walk back to Texas because he was under the impression that Finley was too drunk to drive, officials said. Authorities accused Finley of running over McClelland, catching him under the truck and dragging him about 70 feet. His disfigured remains were found along a country road.

Earlier reports from MSNBC.com state that there was no DNA that matched the victim's underneath or inside the truck.

"But that's not a surprise, considering it had been thoroughly washed," said prosecutor Toby Shook. Police believe the defendants cleaned the vehicle at a car wash after the murder.

Just last month, a random gravel truck driver issued a sworn statement that says he may have accidentally run over McClelland.

"I believed all along there was insufficiency of the evidence," said Ben Massar, Finley's attorney. "The facts in this case did not add up to these two kids being guilty of the charge."

Crostley's lawyer, David Turner, said, "I think it's very simple, these fellows didn't do it."

The city of Paris in east Texas where the suspects and victim lived is known to harbor racial tensions. The local judge is also known to favor the majority white population. In 2007, a young black girl was sentenced to seven years in a juvenile prison for shoving a teacher's aid. Meanwhile, the same judge gave a white girl probation only for burning her parents' house down.

"After investigation, it has been determined this case should be dismissed in the interests of justice," Shook said. "The decision is about the state of the evidence in the case as it exists today."

Can you believe that the charges were dropped against these two PWT losers? They were drinking and driving and murdered a black man and nothing happened to them? We could be crossing the street, minding our business and get ticketed for looking suspicious.

Two White Men Released From Texas Jail; Charges Dropped in Dragging Death of Black Man - Livesteez News

06-06-2009, 02:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
The Godfather Status: Something Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 231 Threads: 223 Thanks: 0 Thanked 29 Times in 23 Posts Rep Power: 6	Two White Men Released From Texas Jail; Charges Dropped in Dragging Death of Black Ma Shannon Finley and Charles Crostley were the prime suspects in the dragging death of a black man in east Texas. The murder charges for which they were standing trial were dropped at the prosecution's request Thursday (June 4) afternoon. Finley and Crostley were arrested in September for hitting Brandon McClelland, 24, with a pick-up truck. The bizarre details behind the story are still sketchy and lack witnesses to solidify what is already a lack of evidence. The suspects and McClelland were believed to be friends and were making a late night beer run to the neighboring state of Oklahoma when the incident took place. The victim allegedly opted to walk back to Texas because he was under the impression that Finley was too drunk to drive, officials said. Authorities accused Finley of running over McClelland, catching him under the truck and dragging him about 70 feet. His disfigured remains were found along a country road. Earlier reports from MSNBC.com state that there was no DNA that matched the victim's underneath or inside the truck. "But that's not a surprise, considering it had been thoroughly washed," said prosecutor Toby Shook. Police believe the defendants cleaned the vehicle at a car wash after the murder. Just last month, a random gravel truck driver issued a sworn statement that says he may have accidentally run over McClelland. "I believed all along there was insufficiency of the evidence," said Ben Massar, Finley's attorney. "The facts in this case did not add up to these two kids being guilty of the charge." Crostley's lawyer, David Turner, said, "I think it's very simple, these fellows didn't do it." The city of Paris in east Texas where the suspects and victim lived is known to harbor racial tensions. The local judge is also known to favor the majority white population. In 2007, a young black girl was sentenced to seven years in a juvenile prison for shoving a teacher's aid. Meanwhile, the same judge gave a white girl probation only for burning her parents' house down. "After investigation, it has been determined this case should be dismissed in the interests of justice," Shook said. "The decision is about the state of the evidence in the case as it exists today." Can you believe that the charges were dropped against these two PWT losers? They were drinking and driving and murdered a black man and nothing happened to them? We could be crossing the street, minding our business and get ticketed for looking suspicious. Two White Men Released From Texas Jail; Charges Dropped in Dragging Death of Black Man - Livesteez News __________________

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode