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CatWoman

(79,302 posts) Sun May 10, 2020, 10:04 PM May 2020

Sheriff's deputy fired, faces charges after leading armed white mob to black teen's home

A peaceful evening was shattered last week for a South Carolina woman and her high school son as they found themselves fending off an armed mob seeking a missing teenage girl who the two knew nothing about.

The group included a sheriff’s deputy who has now lost his job and will face charges, reported WECT-TV.

New Hanover County Sheriff’s deputy Deputy J.T. Kita will be charged with forcible trespass, breaking and entering, New Hanover County District Attorney Ben David said Friday. He will also be charged with willful failure to discharge duties related to his failure to uphold the responsibility of being a sworn officer, NBC News reported.

Kita has also been fired, David said.

Another group member, Austin Wood, will be charged with going armed to the terror of the community, reported WECT.

They were trying to find 15-year-old Lekayda Kempisty, who had gone missing but was later found safe, according to the Associated Press. They sought someone named Josiah.

The group of self-styled vigilantes decided they knew where to look.

Except that they didn’t.

High School senior Dameon was playing video games, and Monica Shepard was upstairs asleep, when the group allegedly tried to force their way in, led by Kita.

The Shepards, who are African-American, are now preparing a civil suit, according to a letter drafted by family attorney James Lea to New Hanover County District Attorney Ben David.

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/ny-south-carolina-white-men-armed-forced-entry-black-family-20200510-4xn5l3q6gnaljglne6xlwrazmm-story.html?fbclid=IwAR0mI9wUGaR8HRC8-eEscabKxngaIY5rLHCS4pak75G8DsUI1cF1Uls1VBU

5 replies

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Sheriff's deputy fired, faces charges after leading armed white mob to black teen's home (Original Post) CatWoman May 2020 OP

Under the christofascists and the Pig...night riders have returned. Thomas Hurt May 2020 #1

Emmett Till 2020. Marcuse May 2020 #2

This is so frightening. iemitsu May 2020 #3

Aside from the NYDN completely screwing up the story mercuryblues May 2020 #4

Three important questions I have about this: 1. Are there weapons enhancements if a gun is used in NBachers May 2020 #5

Thomas Hurt

(13,903 posts)

1. Under the christofascists and the Pig...night riders have returned.

Reply to CatWoman (Original post)

Sun May 10, 2020, 10:06 PM

May 2020

Marcuse

(7,536 posts)

2. Emmett Till 2020.

Reply to CatWoman (Original post)

Sun May 10, 2020, 10:20 PM

May 2020

iemitsu

(3,888 posts)

3. This is so frightening.

Reply to CatWoman (Original post)

Sun May 10, 2020, 10:25 PM

May 2020

mercuryblues

(14,550 posts)

4. Aside from the NYDN completely screwing up the story

Reply to CatWoman (Original post)

Sun May 10, 2020, 10:27 PM

May 2020

It happened in NC, not SC. They also missed a lot of other facts.

A local cop also was involved. Despite the police having enough information to arrest that night, they decided to let the go free until they could "investigate further."

https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2020/05/08/new-hanover-deputy-fired-now-facing-criminal-charges-for-role-in-pender-county-vigilante-mob/

David did not indicate whether Kita and Wood would be arrested and taken into custody or served with criminal summons (which directs suspects to appear in court without being arrested or detained). According to North Carolina court records and Pender County Sheriff’s Office inmate records, neither Wood or Kita is currently in custody and no first appearance has yet been scheduled.

Sheriff Cutler acknowledged there has been many questions concerning why deputies who later arrived at the scene did not make any arrests at the time.

“Let me just say that I am very proud and pleased with the way our deputies handled this situation,” Cutler said. “Instead of rushing in and making a charge that evening, the situation was diffused, we felt like the threat was over.”

NBachers

(17,154 posts)

5. Three important questions I have about this: 1. Are there weapons enhancements if a gun is used in

Reply to CatWoman (Original post)

Sun May 10, 2020, 11:26 PM

May 2020

commission of the crimes here?

2. The uncharged vigilante, if they committed a crime while in possession of a gun: Why haven't they been included in the investigation?

3. Since the mob was allowed to disperse, were police left at the scene to protect the victims from further terror and harassment?

And - Good for Monica Shepard for refusing to allow the deputy into her home.

There was a question during the conference as to whether the mob had been to other houses in their rampage. If so, separate charges should be filed for each place they terrorized.

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