Post by robeiae on Apr 19, 2017 9:00:51 GMT -5
Kori Ali Muhammad was caught immediately after he apparently murdered three people in cold blood in Fresno: www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-fresno-shooter-suspect-20170418-story.html
CNN is suggesting that the police are not viewing this as terrorism, but rather as a hate crime: www.cnn.com/2017/04/18/us/fresno-california-shootings/index.html
I think the California hate crime enhancement law would mean an additional nine years for Muhammad, if he was found guilty of the three murders (he's also the chief suspect in a fourth murder) with said enhancement.
But Muhammad appears to have some mental issues (truth be told, when I first saw the story on the murders, I kinds thought the guy would end up being nuts):
Seems like a lot of red flags, to me.
Regardless, this question doesn't have to be limited to just Mohammad:
If someone has serious mental problems that impact their perception of reality, is a hate crime enhancement appropriate?
(Full disclosure: I don't like these enhancements at all. But right now, they are the law.)
My feeling is that if someone has mental problems that can be seen as causal in this respect, then no there shouldn't be an enhancement, even if the person is otherwise found competent to stand trial. Maybe that's not a workable standard, however.
Anyway, thoughts?
Kori Ali Muhammad, 39, has been arrested in the shootings, which killed three people. Police have not provided a motive in the attack. As he was taken into custody, he yelled out “Allahu Akbar,” Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said. But officials emphasized that they were not sure whether this was an act of terrorism.
A man fatally shot three people in less than two minutes in what police in Fresno, California, are calling a hate crime.
The three victims from the shooting rampage Tuesday were white, and apparently chosen at random, police said. The suspect, Kori Ali Muhammad, 39, is black.
Muhammad had posted on social media a dislike for white people and government officials, Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said. He also yelled "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest) when he was arrested Tuesday, officials said.
"We do not believe ... that this is a terrorist-related crime," Dyer told reporters. "This is solely based on race."
The three victims from the shooting rampage Tuesday were white, and apparently chosen at random, police said. The suspect, Kori Ali Muhammad, 39, is black.
Muhammad had posted on social media a dislike for white people and government officials, Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said. He also yelled "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest) when he was arrested Tuesday, officials said.
"We do not believe ... that this is a terrorist-related crime," Dyer told reporters. "This is solely based on race."
But Muhammad appears to have some mental issues (truth be told, when I first saw the story on the murders, I kinds thought the guy would end up being nuts):
In 2005, he was indicted on charges of cocaine possession with intent to distribute, and possession of two rifles and a semiautomatic handgun.
His then-public defender raised questions on whether Muhammad was mentally fit to stand trial, noting that on several occasions, he had "appeared eccentric with some bizarre beliefs" and appeared to have hallucinations. He also said he'd had "at least two prior mental health hospitalizations."
A psychiatric evaluation found that Muhammad suffered from psychosis and a substantial degree of paranoia. He was declared not competent to stand trial in July 2005.
After an order committing him to a facility in October 2005, he was later found competent for trial in 2006.
Muhammad pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 110 months in prison, which was reduced to 92 months.
His then-public defender raised questions on whether Muhammad was mentally fit to stand trial, noting that on several occasions, he had "appeared eccentric with some bizarre beliefs" and appeared to have hallucinations. He also said he'd had "at least two prior mental health hospitalizations."
A psychiatric evaluation found that Muhammad suffered from psychosis and a substantial degree of paranoia. He was declared not competent to stand trial in July 2005.
After an order committing him to a facility in October 2005, he was later found competent for trial in 2006.
Muhammad pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 110 months in prison, which was reduced to 92 months.
Seems like a lot of red flags, to me.
Regardless, this question doesn't have to be limited to just Mohammad:
If someone has serious mental problems that impact their perception of reality, is a hate crime enhancement appropriate?
(Full disclosure: I don't like these enhancements at all. But right now, they are the law.)
My feeling is that if someone has mental problems that can be seen as causal in this respect, then no there shouldn't be an enhancement, even if the person is otherwise found competent to stand trial. Maybe that's not a workable standard, however.
Anyway, thoughts?
