Horrifying West Virginia case demands deliberate investigation
The West Virginia alleged kidnap-torture-rape case requires deliberate investigation and, if warranted, prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.
Calls for "hate crime" charges are getting a lot of attention but miss the point. The charges already filed can bring severe punishments with conviction.
Meanwhile, the Charleston Gazette reports that the victim previously brought charges against her parents that turned out to be false. Authorities say that has no bearing on the current case.
If early reports are accurate, this is a case of utter depravity and savage cruelty. But it doesn't need to become another prosecution driven by media frenzy and public hysteria. Gather the facts and take fair, appropriate action in the pursuit of justice.