01/27/2009
Man Dead Following Assault at Gay Tennessee Nightclub
UPDATE:
James Lewis, 48, of Telford, Tennessee, died of his injuries in the hospital Monday afternoon after a fight at a Johnson City, Tennessee nightclub left him unconscious early Sunday morning. He was transported to the hospital around 3am.
News Channel 11 reports that "Sgt. Billy Church says the victim of a beating at New Beginnings nightclub early Sunday morning was taken off life-support a short time ago."
The Times News reports: "Lewis had a head injury, but it was unclear how many times or where he was punched, Peters said. 'All we know right now is that there were some punches thrown,' Peters said. 'We don’t know how many.' No warrants have been issued in the incident, so police have not said what charges could be filed. Police said three people may have been fighting. 'Right now what our investigation has revealed is that there was at least three people involved in the fight,' Peters said. 'Don’t know exactly their roles, but there was at least three involved.' The genders of the others and the reason for the fight were not known. 'We’re still putting together some stuff on that,' Peters said of the motive for the fight. 'Don’t really know at this point in time.' Investigators do have several leads in the case, Peters said. 'We’ve got a couple of people we’re looking at right now,' he said. 'People of interest to us.'"
Police arrested a man last night: "Johnson City Police say they arrested Bradley Ashby, 19, 807 E. Chilhowie Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, and charged with him with one count of reckless homicide. Ashby was booked into the Washington County, Tennessee Detention Center with a $50,000 bond."
Police have not released a motive.
Posted 7:11 AM EST by Andy Towle in Crime, News, Tennessee | Permalink
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crazy world..i love Newbies aka New Beginnings
Posted by: Dustin | Jan 26, 2009 9:21:27 PM
Despite the fact that someone just lost his life, the comments on the Channel 11 website are unrelenting in their hatred. One woman says that if the victim was gay, then "he got what he deserved."
My first love is from Johnson City, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw this headline. May the murderer(s) be caught and imprisoned.
Posted by: Jayde | Jan 27, 2009 1:56:29 AM
A 19 year old has been arrested and charged with reckless homicide. http://pflagtricities.blogspot.com/2009/01/at-least-three-involved-in-fight.html
Posted by: John Shuck | Jan 27, 2009 2:19:24 AM
A 19 year old has been arrested and charged with reckless homicide. http://pflagtricities.blogspot.com/2009/01/at-least-three-involved-in-fight.html
Posted by: John Shuck | Jan 27, 2009 2:20:15 AM
A 19 year old has been arrested and charged with reckless homicide. http://pflagtricities.blogspot.com/2009/01/at-least-three-involved-in-fight.html
Posted by: John Shuck | Jan 27, 2009 2:20:21 AM
My sympathies to everyone involved. To the victim, whose only crime was trying to be who he is. And to the person responsible for the crime, I feel for him as well. His actions are more than likely motivated by a cultural/religious belief that being anything other than heterosexual is a crime.
Posted by: David Ezell | Jan 27, 2009 7:30:39 AM
@David Ezell
One of the most dangerous things an oppressed person can do is feel "sympathy" for his oppressor. I actually think it's healthy to hate one's oppressor as long as you take it to the next level. Gay men would be better served if they focused more on learning how to defend themselves instead of feeling 'sorry' for our oppressors/killers.
Posted by: elg | Jan 27, 2009 8:04:23 AM
Yes, Elg...and many do. More need to, though. And make some use of your 2nd amendment right! They're not GOING ANYWHERE. If the NRA can get behind Obama...
Posted by: TANK | Jan 27, 2009 4:58:26 PM