I drive past the Soccer Field nearly every day on my way into town, and it always gives me pause.
I'm really double-minded about calling this a hate crime. Of course it is --- the victims were selected because of their color, then humiliated, abused, terrorized and ultimately executed. Yes, they were robbed as well --- but didn't the SS collect gold teeth and jewelry from their victims at the death camps? Does that make them thieves instead of murderers? No they were murderers first, and thieves on the side.
OTOH, a "hate crime" designation will attract the NAACP, JJ and the Rev. Al. There's little if any sympathy for the Carrs here now, their only hope for sympathy is from outsiders who don't know them for the animals they are. I fear that JJ and his "amen chorus" will generate a national outcry for "justice". I prefer the local brand of justice for these two.