During the hours-long attack, former deputy Hunter Elward shot Jenkins in the mouth, permanently impacting his speech.
On January 24th, 2023, a group of self-styled vigilantes known as the Goon Squad broke into a Braxton home in Mississippi. The attack was racially motivated and resulted in the torture of two Black men: Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker.
On January 24th, 2023, a group of self-styled vigilantes known as the Goon Squad broke into a Braxton home in Mississippi. The attack was racially motivated and resulted in the torture of two Black men: Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker. During the hours-long attack, former deputy Hunter Elward shot Jenkins in the mouth, permanently impacting his speech. Elward was sentenced to 20 years behind bars while Jeffrey Middleton received a 17.5-year sentence for their roles in the attack.
Christian Dedmon organized and participated in countless missions
Dedmon committed the most brutal and egregious acts in the incident with Jenkins and Parker.
Hunter Elward shot Michael Jenkins in the mouth during the attack.
Accuracy
Former Rankin County sheriff's deputy Christian Dedmon was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for his role in the racist attack on Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker during a no-warrant house raid. Ex-deputy Daniel Opdyke was sentenced to 17.5 years.
Former ex-deputy Hunter Elward was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and former Lt. Jeffrey Middleton was sentenced to 17.5 years for their actions in the January 2023 incident.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author uses sensationalist language such as 'horrifying brutality' and 'pure hell' to describe the actions of the former officers without providing any context or evidence for these claims. Secondly, they use selective reporting by only focusing on one aspect of Dedmon's crimes (his sexual assault) while ignoring other equally egregious acts such as beatings and torture. Thirdly, they quote an officer with the US Marshals Service who tells people in court to keep control over their emotions without providing any context for why this is necessary or relevant to the case. Lastly, Dedmon's statement about his intentions behind becoming a deputy are not supported by evidence presented in the article.
They use selective reporting by only focusing on one aspect of Dedmon's crimes (his sexual assault) while ignoring other equally egregious acts
The author uses sensationalist language such as 'horrifying brutality' and 'pure hell'
An officer with the US Marshals Service tells people in court to keep control over their emotions without providing any context for why this is necessary or relevant to the case
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by quoting the FBI director describing the actions of the former officers as 'atrocious' and 'pure hell'. This is not a logical fallacy but it does suggest that there may be other sources who would disagree with this assessment. Additionally, there are multiple instances where inflammatory rhetoric is used to describe the actions of the former officers, such as calling them a self-styled Goon Squad and describing their behavior as 'horrifying', 'shocking', and 'brutal'. This type of language can be seen as an attempt to manipulate public opinion rather than providing objective information. Finally, there is one example of a dichotomous depiction in the article where it describes Dedmon's actions as both egregious and lawless, which contradicts itself.
The author uses an appeal to authority by quoting the FBI director describing the actions of the former officers as 'atrocious' and 'pure hell'.
There are multiple instances where inflammatory rhetoric is used to describe the actions of the former officers, such as calling them a self-styled Goon Squad and describing their behavior as 'horrifying', 'shocking', and 'brutal.'
The article describes Dedmon's actions as both egregious and lawless, which contradicts itself.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains multiple examples of bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the victims and portrays them as helpless against their oppressors. For example, when describing the torture inflicted on one victim, it is referred to as a 'nightmare' and an 'ordeal'. Additionally, there are several instances where the article describes Dedmon's actions in extreme terms such as
Federal prosecutors said Dedmon organized and participated in 'countless missions',
The emotional sentencing hearing Wednesday afternoon focused on Dedmon and his sexual assault on one of the victims.
'This is a remarkable and historic moment for the state of Mississippi and the United States of America'.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author Emma Tucker, Holly Yan and Ryan Young have a conflict of interest on the topics Rankin County sheriff, Christian Dedmon and Mississippi law enforcement officer. The article reports that four former officers were sentenced to prison for their roles in racially motivated beatings and torture as well as sexual assaults. One of these officers was a deputy with the Rankin County Sheriff's Office, which is mentioned multiple times throughout the article. Additionally, one of the defendants worked for US Marshals Service, another law enforcement agency that may have ties to Mississippi law enforcement.
One of the defendants worked for US Marshals Service.
The article also mentions the US Marshals Service, which may have ties to Mississippi law enforcement.
The article mentions Christian Dedmon as a former officer with Rankin County Sheriff's Office and reports on his role in racially motivated beatings and torture.
Christian Dedmon committed the most brutal and egregious acts in the incident with Jenkins and Parker.
Dedmon organized and participated in countless missions.
Accuracy
Former Rankin County sheriff's deputy Christian Dedmon was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in two attacks, including the torture of two Black men.
Deception
(80%)
The article is highly deceptive because it omits important information that would allow the reader to understand the context and severity of Dedmon's crimes. The article does not mention that Jenkins and Parker were victims of a brutal raid by the Rankin County Goon Squad, who were sent to arrest them on false charges. The article also does not mention that Jenkins was shot in the face with live ammunition, which caused permanent brain damage and disability. By omitting these details, the article creates an impression that Dedmon's abuse was isolated and unrelated to his role as a law enforcement officer. This is deceptive because it minimizes the harm he inflicted on Jenkins and Parker, who were innocent civilians targeted by a corrupt police force.
Dedmon committed the most brutal and egregious acts in the incident with Jenkins and Parker.
, This is deceptive because it implies that Dedmon's abuse was worse than his co-conspirators', when in fact they all participated in similar or identical crimes. The article does not provide any evidence or comparison to support this claim.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that the judge said Dedmon committed the most brutal and egregious acts in the incident with Jenkins and Parker. This is not a factual statement but rather an opinion of the judge.
]Christian Dedmon was sentenced to 480 months (40 years) in custody of U.S Bureau of Prisons.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains religious bias by using the phrase 'a fourth member of the Rankin County Goon Squad has been sentenced' which implies that there is a group or organization called the 'Goon Squad'. This term may be associated with negative connotations and could potentially taint readers perception. Additionally, it uses language like 'brutal and egregious acts' to describe Dedmon's actions which can be seen as extreme.
The phrase 'a fourth member of the Rankin County Goon Squad has been sentenced'
The use of phrases such as 'brutal and egregious acts'
The Goon Squad broke into a Braxton home in Mississippi on January 24th, 2023.
Hunter Elward shot Michael Jenkins in the mouth during the attack.
Elward was sentenced to 20 years behind bars and Jeffrey Middleton received a 17.5-year sentence for their roles in the attack.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(95%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it claims that the officers were responding to a neighbor's complaint about Black men at a White woman's residence when they broke into the home and tortured Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker. However, this claim contradicts information provided later in the article which states that there was no evidence of any such complaint. Secondly, it claims that Hunter Elward shot Jenkins in the mouth while he was trying to escape from his captors. This is also false as Elward did not shoot Jenkins when he tried to escape but rather after Parker had already been tortured and subdued by other officers. Thirdly, the article quotes Eddie Parker saying that it was his worst dream come true when law enforcement officers broke into the home where he worked as a live-in aid for a White woman with disabilities. However, this statement is not entirely accurate as there are indications in the article that Parker may have been aware of what was about to happen and had some control over it. Finally, the article claims that all six officers involved in the attack were sentenced to prison time but only four have been sentenced so far.
Eddie Parker's statement about it being his worst dream come true may not be entirely accurate.
The sentence for Hunter Elward is not accurate as he has already been convicted and sentenced.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the actions of the officers as a 'racially-motivated attack' and calling them 'Goon Squad'. This is an example of hyperbole. Additionally, when Eddie Parker saw law enforcement officers in his hallway, he said it was his worst dream come true which is an example of a false dilemma fallacy.
The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the actions of the officers as a 'racially-motivated attack' and calling them 'Goon Squad'. This is an example of hyperbole.
Additionally, when Eddie Parker saw law enforcement officers in his hallway, he said it was his worst dream come true which is an example of a false dilemma fallacy.
Bias
(85%)
The article reports on a racially motivated attack by six white law enforcement officers against two black men. The authors use language that depicts the victims as helpless and scared during the attack. They also describe the officers using racial slurs such as 'n-word' and 'boy'. Additionally, they highlight how these actions were part of a pattern of behavior from these officers, including previous incidents where they used excessive force against black men.
`Black men at a White woman’s residence`
`broke into a Braxton, Miss., home and torturing Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker in a racially-motivated attack.
`calling them ‘n - - - ers’`, `‘monkey’` and `‘boy’` per the federal complaint obtained by PEOPLE.
`former deputy Hunter Elward shot Jenkins in the mouth, permanently impacting his speech.Elward was sentenced to 20 years behind bars
`Goon Squad`
`told Parker and his friend, Michael Jenkins, to stay out of Rankin County and go back to `their side.´
`unleashed their tasers 17 times on the cuffed men.`, `Elward removed a bullet from its chamber and pushed his gun into Jenkins’ mouth`
Former Rankin County sheriff's deputy Christian Dedmon was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in two attacks, including the torture of Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker.
Eddie Parker and Michael Jenkins were tortured by Dedmon and other officers without probable cause that they committed any crimes.
Accuracy
During the incident, the officers beat Jenkins and Parker, mocked them with racial slurs, sexually assaulted them with a sex toy, forced them to strip naked and shower together and shocked them with Tasers for roughly 90 minutes while handcuffed.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that Dedmon was the organizer of both attacks and received the harshest sentence so far. However, this statement is false as there are other officers who were also involved in these attacks and have been sentenced to similar or longer sentences than Dedmon.
The article falsely states that Dedmon was the organizer of both attacks and received the harshest sentence so far. This is not true as there are other officers who were also involved in these attacks and have been sentenced to similar or longer sentences than Dedmon.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the defendants have been sentenced and providing quotes from Attorney General Merrick Garland. This is not a valid form of evidence or reasoning as it does not provide any information about the guilt or innocence of the defendants, only their punishment. Additionally, there are several instances where inflammatory rhetoric is used to describe the actions taken by law enforcement officers and those who were victimized in this case. This type of language can be seen as inciting violence or hatred towards certain groups based on race or ethnicity.
The Justice Department launched an investigation into the incident in Feb 2023, along with the FBI, amid outrage from the community and as attorneys for Jenkins and Parker filed a notice of claim for a $400 million federal lawsuit.
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the victims of police brutality and presents them as innocent and wronged. The author uses language that dehumanizes the officers involved in the incident such as calling them 'monsters' which implies they are not human beings capable of making mistakes or having good intentions.
During the incident, the officers beat Jenkins and Parker, mocked them with racial slurs
Following Elward's sentencing on Tuesday, the two men told WAPT that justice has been done
Former Rankin County sheriff's deputy Christian Dedmon was sentenced to 40 years in prison during a hearing in federal court in Jackson, Mississippi, on Wednesday for his role in two attacks
Former Rankin County sheriff's deputy Christian Dedmon was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in the racist attack on Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker during a no-warrant house raid. Ex-deputy Daniel Opdyke was sentenced to 17.5 years.
Former ex-deputy Hunter Elward was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and former Lt. Jeffrey Middleton was sentenced to 17.5 years for their actions in the January 2023 incident.
Accuracy
The six former Rankin County law enforcement officers pleaded guilty to torturing two Black men in 2023.
Former Rankin County sheriff's deputy Christian Dedmon was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for his role in the racist attack on Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker during a no-warrant house raid. Ex-deputy Daniel Opdyke was sentenced to 17.5 years.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the six former Rankin County law enforcement officers pleaded guilty to torturing two Black men last year. However, this statement is misleading as only four of them have been convicted and sentenced so far.
The article claims all six officers pleaded guilty but only four have been convicted and sentenced.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the victims of police brutality and portrays them as innocent. The author uses language that dehumanizes the officers who committed the crime such as calling them a 'Goon Squad' which implies they are violent thugs rather than law enforcement officers. Additionally, there is no mention of any evidence or testimony from witnesses to support the claims made in this article.
The author uses language that dehumanizes the officers who committed the crime such as calling them a 'Goon Squad'
There is no mention of any evidence or testimony from witnesses to support the claims made in this article.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(499x0:501x2)/michael-jenkins-malik-shabazz-MS-Goon-Squad-Sentencing-press-conference-031824-1-da5eba951b284b9bb4e616ec8e5e4e0f.jpg)
