July 15, 2000
9:28 PM   Subscribe

This Just In: Computer commits suicide. When headlines go bad.
posted by aaron (11 comments total)
 
In case they catch it and change it, it reads:

Computer of teen found hanging from treesource of fight between family and authorities
posted by aaron at 9:31 PM on July 15, 2000



The first paragraph isn't much better

'A computer owned by a black teen found hanging in his front yard...'
posted by Mick at 9:33 PM on July 15, 2000


They haven't changed it. They probably don't notice the problem with it. An easy mistake. I find I do it all the time in my writing and I have to go back and reword it. However, I DO go back and proofread my stuff as best I can, and I'm not even CNN. =)

The story itself is disturbing though. It makes me wanna put a fist in a wall. People still hang people? Over interracial relationships? I mean heck I have interracial relationships every chance I get. Am I gonna get lynched because my definition of what makes a woman hot is not limited by skin color?
posted by ZachsMind at 11:17 PM on July 15, 2000


White men don't get lynched. What really disturbs me about this story is how the authorities are colluding to cover up the murder.
posted by sudama at 11:59 PM on July 15, 2000


And your proof for that accusation is . . .?
posted by lileks at 1:03 AM on July 16, 2000


What's the point in saying something like that sudama. I you have somehting to say, say it.
posted by iamcal at 6:13 AM on July 16, 2000


"White Men Don't Get Lynched"? You've obviously never been to my neighborhood. =) We've got equal opportunity mobs down here.

The authorities are wanting to investigate every possible lead. They feel the computer is evidence. One way or the other it could help prove whether the death was murder or suicide. A suicide note itself would be a bit absurd, but perhaps, before his death, the victum sent or recieved something in email that would be enlightening; pointing to suspects. By not allowing the police to inspect the computer, the victum's parents are obstructing justice.

I believe the good reverend Jackson would agree with me on that. =)
posted by ZachsMind at 7:45 AM on July 16, 2000


The family believes it was a murder, and I agree with them.. that's all I was saying. And Zach, it seems rather disingenuous to compare any hostility you may receive from people of color to lynching, which has a very racialized meaning in the US.
posted by sudama at 8:44 AM on July 16, 2000


"Two autopsies -- one commissioned by the family -- concluded Johnson's injuries were consistent with suicide."

I don't think the authorities are trying to cover anything up. I think the family is just trying to hide the fact that their son committed suicide. They can't believe it, so they think it has to be murder.
posted by Mark at 1:35 PM on July 16, 2000


I read somewhere that the family feared the authorities would be able to plant evidence of suicide on the machine, and they wouldn't know from Adam. They are not technical folks. It would seem that if the family does not know and trust any geeks, the good Reverend Jackson might find a few among his staff, who could be present at the police examination of the machine to ensure no such hanky panky occurs. If the family won't allow that - then I would have to say they must be in serious denial...
posted by quonsar at 7:11 PM on July 16, 2000


The family has invited the FBI to come take a look at the computer in their home -- what they object to is having the computer removed. I don't think the FBI has offered to allow any geek representatives of the family to be present when they investigate.
posted by sudama at 10:44 PM on July 16, 2000


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