" it was a big shock to me that someone would run a young man down like that and take his life."
uh, lady... the guy was 46. ok, that ain't elderly yet, but it sure as hell ain't young, at any rate.
Posted on 08/12/2005 7:45:26 AM PDT by lunarbicep
A peaceful place for prayer turned into a deadly scene early Thursday morning. Police said Donald Middleton, 46, was beaten to death in the parking lot of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church.
Lillie Bell has been Middleton's neighbor for 35 years. "When I heard what was going on," she says," it was a big shock to me that someone would run a young man down like that and take his life."
Police said a group of men across the street saw Middleton trying to break into the church.
The Rev. Arthur Sutton said the men tried to stop Middleton, but went too far.
"My thing about it is if they saw something being done to the church the proper authorities should've been called," Sutton said. "I think they were trying to do a good deed, but it went too far."
The coroner said Middleton died of severe head trauma.
This is not the first time Middleton has been accused of doing wrong. His arrest record dates back to 1984. Charges include, auto theft, burglary, grand larceny, disorderly conduct, bank robbery and possession of crack cocaine. Despite the long rap sheet, neighbors said Middleton did not deserve to die.
Bell said, "I remember Donald as a good boy, a good young man."
There have been no arrests in this case. Jackson Mayor Frank Melton said witnesses are working with police.
I'll go out on a limb here and take a wild guess...
Sounds like another example of a group of half-drunk "corner boys" administering rough justice.
Remember a similar incident when a hit-and-run driver was also pummeled to death by the "40-and-a-blunt" crowd?
What was wrong with this guy anyway? Burglarizing a church? Well, I suppose the folks shouldn't have spanked him to death...
Lillie Bell has been Middleton's neighbor for 35 years. "When I heard what was going on," she says," it was a big shock to me that someone would run a young man down like that and take his life."
Young man?! At 46?! I didn’t know I get to be a young man again later in life.
I hope no angry churchies beat me to death in my youthful future.
"I remember Donald as a good boy, a good young man."
My ass.
Live by the sword - die by the sword.
" it was a big shock to me that someone would run a young man down like that and take his life."
uh, lady... the guy was 46. ok, that ain't elderly yet, but it sure as hell ain't young, at any rate.
Slayed in the spirit?
There would be a lot less of this if the authorities who are responsible for administering justice would do the job.
His arrest record dates back to 1984. Charges include, auto theft, burglary, grand larceny, disorderly conduct, bank robbery and possession of crack cocaine.
There was no excuse for this guy being free to roam the streets. I'd to see the young thugs punished AFTER the people who should have gotten this guy off the streets are punished.
"40-and-a-blunt"
Thanks for helping me plan my Friday night.
Let me see, he died at 46, in 84, 21 years ago, his arrest record starts. 46-21=25...seems to me he was a young man when his arrest record started, not counting problems as a juevenile.
Simple math and logic dictates he's been trouble most of his life.
All part of the burglarizing a church experience for this Donald.
It would appear that Lillie Bell suffers from age-related memory impairment.
Bell said, "I remember Donald as a good boy, a good young man."
Yeah, sure
Reminds me of Monty Python's Dead Bishop sketch
Son: (coming in the door) 'Ello Mum. 'Ello Dad.
Klaus: 'Ello son.
Son: There's a dead bishop on the landing, dad!
Klaus: Really?
Mother: Where's it from?
Son: Waddya mean?
Mother: What's its diocese?
Son: Well, it looked a bit Bath and Wells-ish to me...
Klaus: (getting up and going out the door) I'll go and have a look.
Mother: I don't know...kids bringin' 'em in here....
Son: It's not me!
Mother: I've got three of 'em down by the bin, and the dustmen won't touch 'em!
Klaus: (coming back in) Leicester.
Mother: 'Ow d'you know?
Klaus: Tattooed on the back o' the neck. I'll call the police.
Mother: Shouldn't you call the church?
Son: Call the church police!
Klaus: All right. (shouting) The Church Police!
(sirens racing up, followed by a tremendous crash)
(the church police burst in the door)
Detective: What's all this then, Amen!
Mother: Are you the church police?
All the police officers: (in unison) Ho, Yes!
Mother: There's another dead bishop on the landing, vicar sargeant!
Detective: Uh, Detective Parson, madam. I see... suffrican, or diocisian?
Mother: 'Ow should I know?
Detective: It's tatooed on the back o' their neck. (spying the tart) 'Ere, is that
rat tart?
Mother: yes.
Detective: Disgusting! Right! Men, the chase is on! Now we should all
kneel! (they all kneel)
All: O Lord, we beseech thee, tell us 'oo croaked Lester!
*thunder*
Voice of the Lord: The one in the braces, he done it!
Klaus: It's a fair cop, but society's to blame.
Detective: Agreed. We'll be charging them too.
Klaus: I'd like you to take the three boddlabin into consideration.
Detective: Right. I'll now ask you all to conclude this harrest with a hymn.
All: All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The church has nigged them all.
Amen.
"40-and-a-blunt"
Thanks for helping me plan my Friday night.
____________________________________________________________
*hic!*, *cough!* My pleasure.
But why wait *hic!* till tonight?
I had visions of: beaten to death with the cross on the altar.
How old are these 'apprehenders'?
Is it violent video games that now anesthesize the conscience; our coarsened culture. . .or did they just happen to revert to a 'primitive' response.(?)
Note to self: don't burgle any churches.
My church was hit a few months ago. They stole most of the computers and audio equipment.
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