Should a black judge recuse himself when presiding over a hearing or trial of a white supremacist? When a black judge rules unfavorably toward a white supremacist on very flimsy grounds, the issue of bias comes to mind.

Roanoke Times
Dec 6, 2008

White to be held without bond in Chicago

CHICAGO -- A neo-Nazi and Internet bully who picked on victims from Roanoke to Chicago will remain here, held without bond, until his trial next year on charges of encouraging violence against a juror.

William A. White, the head of a Roanoke-based white supremacy organization, has a long history of posting racially charged material to his Web site, federal Judge William Hibbler said in denying White's request for bond.

Hibbler based his concerns not so much on what White might do if released but on what one of his followers might do at his urging.

"Unfortunately, there are so many people who are susceptible to suggestions that come from other sources," Hibbler said.

At his bond hearing in U.S. District Court in Chicago, White found himself in the awkward position of seeking leniency from a black judge in the hometown of one of his targets, president-elect Barack Obama.

Although Hibbler made no direct comment about White's racist views, defense attorneys argued that any distaste for white supremacists should not interfere with his freedom of expression.

"I don't agree with his opinions," attorney Nishay Sanan told the judge. "I'm assuming you don't agree with his opinions. ... But he's entitled to those opinions."

White has been in custody since Oct. 17, when federal agents in Roanoke arrested him on a charge of encouraging violence against the foreman of a Chicago jury that convicted Matthew Hale, a fellow white supremacist, in 2004.

Federal prosecutors never said directly that White poses a danger to Obama, whose presidential transition office is located just across the street from the federal courthouse where the hearing was held.

But in asking that White be held without bond, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Ferrara pointed to the article's final paragraph: If Obama were to become the first black elected president, it stated, he should not be allowed, "by any means necessary," to take office.

Authorities are arguing that the magazine for White's group, the American National Socialist Workers Party -- and, to an even greater degree, his Web site -- are ways for him to advocate violence against those who offend his racist beliefs.

But a forensic psychiatrist who examined White testified Friday that he does not pose a threat. The 31-year-old's inflammatory online postings were just a way for him to vent frustration, according to Dr. James Corcoran.

An evaluation of White found no signs of major mental illness. But he does have a personality disorder, Corcoran said.

Federal authorities allege that White posted the Hale juror's home address and telephone numbers on his Web site, putting the man at risk from an Internet audience known for racist views and, in some cases, violence.

Although he made no direct threats to the juror, White wrote that the man had played a key role in what he called the wrongful conviction of Hale, who is serving a 40-year prison term. The jury convicted Hale of soliciting the murder of a federal judge who ruled against him in a trademark infringement case involving the name of his organization, the World Church of the Creator.

Friday's hearing was White's second attempt to make bond.

At an earlier hearing in federal court in Roanoke, magistrate Judge Michael Urbanski found White to be a risk to the community, basing his decision largely on White's own words. In postings to his Web site, White had rambled about his urge to "kill, kill, kill" -- writing at one point that he had developed an intricate plot to murder "about a score of Roanoke's Negro nuisances and their annoying counterparts at The Roanoke Times."

Following Urbanski's decision to hold White without bond, he was transferred to Chicago.

White will remain in the Metropolitan Correction Center, where he is being held in solitary confinement for his own protection, co-counsel Chris Shepherd said.

His trial, set to begin March 3, will focus heavily on whether his actions crossed the line between free speech and illegal threats.

"This is a politically motivated case," Sanan said, "with a lot of First Amendment ramifications."

Complete article here:

White to be held without bond in Chicago - Roanoke.com

Sounds like that scumbag, White, is right where he belongs.

I don't see a problem...

__________________
Science flies you to the moon. Religion flies you into buildings...

The problem is bias in the courtroom. Bias in the courtroom translates into corruption of the courts. What possible fairness or justice can a white supremacist have from a black judge if the black judge is himself prejudiced or is a "negro nazi"?

There are some things about Bill White that I disagree with, but ALL citizens are entitled to equal protection of the law.

Bill White would face bias against him in most white judges as well. I am sure he was treated no different then a white judge would treat him.

__________________
"To those who say what must be said; They lead the way for those who will do what must be done."

Capitalism is Democracy, vote with your dollar.

The audience is asked to remain seated until the end of the recession.

If there's something which states that the Judge had no right to do what he did, then you might have a point.

The guy belongs right where he is, and I don't care if the Judge who's keeping him there is black, white, orange, or green...

__________________
Science flies you to the moon. Religion flies you into buildings...

I doubt race had any part in it - people charged with threatening jurors don't often get bail, and deservedly so.

Matt

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"An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy; because there is a limit beyond which no institution and no property can bear taxation." - John Marshall

He didn't threaten a juror. He only posted the address of a former juror from a trial that occurred four years ago in the event anyone now wanted to express their views or protest what he did. White said the juror was a Jew and was biased against the man the jury convicted. There were no threats of violence in White's posts. White discussed the trial and posted the jury foreman's address if anyone wanted to contact him. The address was probably in the local phone book so what's the big deal?

At any rate, White's appearance in court on the 5th of December was not for the trial. It was just a bond hearing. He is being kept in solitary confinement and he hasn't been convicted of anything! All White asked for was for the judge to set bond so White could prepare his defense.

A dangerous legal precedent is being set here: controversial political views are not allowed!!

When a black judge rules unfavorably toward a white supremacist on very flimsy grounds, the issue of bias comes to mind.

What's flimsy about the grounds? The threat wasn't explicit, but implied threat is enough to hold him.

If a white judge had made the same decision to hold White, would your concern for White's rights less?

I a white judge had made the same decision, we'd be hearing about how a "race traitor", "Jew", "Crypto-Jew" or "Ko$her Konservative" was oppressing this saintly White Supremacist.

This is just the MO of the White Supremacist (more accurately, White Inferiorist) movement - everything that happens is because "The Jew" or "The Black" is keeping the poor white man down.

Matt

__________________
"An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy; because there is a limit beyond which no institution and no property can bear taxation." - John Marshall

I missed the bit where you gave proof that the judge was a "negro nazi". By your logic, white judges can't sit on these cases because they'll be biased in favour of the defendent.

Er, HTF was that better?

The big deal is that White published a person's adress, without that person's permission, for his supporters to "discuss" the case with him. Whether or not his name was in the local phone book is irrelevent. There is a definite threat of violence here.

I think ya'll are missing the point. The judge is biased because he's black. First of all, blacks should not be citizens, or hold public office, much less be a judge!!!!! Should the white race be governed by negroes?? You gotta be kidding!!!!!!!

Time to wake up white man. Earth to white race. Its time to wake up. Quickly!!!!!

NO, I think you've illustrated the point quite clearly with this post.

Goose-step on back over to Stormfront - they miss you there.

Matt

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"An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy; because there is a limit beyond which no institution and no property can bear taxation." - John Marshall

You know Richard i think its highly ironic that you lecture the rest of the country on staying white while we let millions of Mexicans over the border every year in our own state...

OK, well here's the drill: Those in the white power structure get accused of being racist at the whim of any black who wants to.

So if a black man becomes part of the power structure, or if the power structure eventually becomes black, then someone is going to call him a racist at some point in time.

If he can't stand the heat, he can get out of the kitchen.

Wonder how he would have ruled if it was a Vice Lord?

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There is no "white race" There are Irish, English, Scottish, French, Spanish, Italian, German, and ect.

__________________
"To those who say what must be said; They lead the way for those who will do what must be done."

Capitalism is Democracy, vote with your dollar.

The audience is asked to remain seated until the end of the recession.