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Thanks for the info regarding the black juror's statement. It's interesting that it was made during jury selection with both defense and prosecution objecting to his selection and being over-ruled by the judge. Defense because of his support of the death penalty and prosecution because he might be partial because the defendants were black. I'm beginning to wonder about this judge.

Maybe someone could explain to me if a "hate crime" strictly means crimes committed because of racial hatred. If that IS the case, possible this trial is not a hate crime because these guys were punks (IMO) in town from Dodge City that picked their victims and committed these horrible crimes. I'm not sure race had anything to do with it. I do believe race and being politically correct is why it is not receiving nation wide attention. (I have been wrong before and may be wrong this time.)

--I'm beginning to wonder about this judge.--

Me too.

--Maybe someone could explain to me if a "hate crime" strictly means crimes committed because of racial hatred.--

It also means that victims were "selected on the basis of race" of course it probably varies from state to state.

I find it curious that these guys, being black, probably living in a mostly black neighborhood, would only find whites to kill. But then its hard to know since the DA, as I understand it, sealed certain records.

BTW re: shepard there was no evidence that he was selected because of his sexual preference other than that the guys who robbed and pistol whipped him used the promise of a sexual liason to lure him to where he was killed.

Comparing the two there is no more evidence of "hate" being the motivator in Shepard than race being the motivator in this one.