Rick Jones, 21, became a cause celebre after he alleged that he was beaten and had a homophobic slur carved into his arm. In a case reminiscent of the Tawana Brawley case and some other more recent controversies (here and here), Jones has now admitted that it was a hoax.
Jones said that his ordeal began with a beating at his family’s pizza business that left him with head and facial bruising. A few days later, the family’s home was found spray-painted with a homophobic slur. On June 10, a rock and a molotov cocktail were thrown through the window of the home and their business was spray-painted, broken into and robbed of $1,000.
Jones became a rallying point for activists and supporters in raising money to “Stop Hate”:
He could now face charges in making a false police report that triggered an intense investigation. He also reportedly admitted that he made up accounts about harassment over his sexuality.
His attorney, Brett Tolman, however, insisted that this was just a “cry for help” and “it’s such good evidence of the difficulties members of the gay community deal with, and some make better choices than others.” Actually it is horrible evidence because it did not occur. Jones hurt his community which faces real discrimination and violence. His hoax will fuel those critics who deny such problems are real in resisting protections for the LGBT community.
Nevertheless, Tolman sees positive things coming from this hoax and Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox (right) said publicly that he is relieved that the troubling allegations are not true and remained concerned for Jones and his family in their struggle to find “peace and healing.”
I certainly feel sympathy for this family but should the police charge Jones? After all, this not only wasted police resources but he created the real possibility of people being detained or arrested for this hoax.
So long as his intentions were good, who are we to criticize. After all, isn’t that the important thing? Criticizing him would be so homophobic. And that is, really, just the worst thing of all.
I’ll bet my next paycheck this fraud was also behind the June 10 rock and a molotov cocktail tossed through the window of the home and the spray-painted, broken into and robbed of $1,000 family business.
“should the police charge Jones?”
~+~
Yes.
An arrest could have taken place if some of the false evidence wrongfully pointed to another person.
@NickS
I’m glad you liked it! Vanessa P. does a version of Le Temps de L’Amour that will just knock your socks off!
@pinandpuller
LOL! on the gay/anti-gay explosion thing!
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Squeek, Great music video. Thanks. You are one of the most iconoclastic women I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. My bride is very much into music. There is a great outdoor video north of Chicago named Ravinia. It has been there for decades. They have a wide range of music. A friend of my bride called excitedly last week. She had won free tickets, hotel, and meeting w/ David Gray. I know a little of his music but the 2 women love his music. The meeting was very pleasant, a real English gent. Photos and autographs. It’s nice to hear good stories about celebs.
Prison time is the answer.
Well heck! That didn’t work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLaq5usTJrg
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
@NickS
Oh, BTW, here is a version of the song you might like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLaq5usTJrg&list=PLgY–XplNrAV68Z08W6geAt7BsyLWr1cI
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
I wonder if Rachel Dolezal was charged with making a false police report alleging hate crimes.
Is this the trend?
mr. turley has a curious version of history if he thinks that this case is “reminiscent of the tawana brawley case.”
neither brawley, nor her so-called advisors, the irreverent al charlatan and the former attorneys vernon mason and alton maddox, ever made the slightest statement or action that any of the claims in that case were a hoax.
alan tiger – he might be referring to the self-harm.
I can not discern what happened. Did his house really get molotoved? Is he gay? Is he anti gay?
Gay and anti-gay came together. His house was destroyed by homophobia in another dimension.
@NickS
What do you expect from Dumdell??? I hope he loses Monday in Court, and he has to stay there at the psychiatric lockup with Gorp.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Squeek, Dumdell REALLY loves Lou Reed. I had a dustup w/ him when Reed died. Reed was a phony. He was no more “street” than Keith Richards. Reed was as much suburbs as Richards, just not as wealthy. Reed helped create “heroin chic” that has trapped many a young, white kid. Richards was honest about heroin, as was/is Neil Young. I liked Reed’s music. But, for some folks that’s not enough. You have to buy the myth that Reed was down there w/ the poor street people. Laughable.
@MikeA
Huh??? I think my lyrics are right in there with Reed’s song. Here are his lyrics. Notice “valium’. Notice “fairy” Notice the “head” comment.
First, mine:
Walk on the Wild Side 2.0
A Parody Song by Squeeky Fromm
Little Ricky came from Deseret,
Said he was carved up for being gay!
And when his tale began to stink,
Risperdal* would have helped that twink!
You say, hey sugar, take a walk on the wild side!
Said, hey boy, take a walk on the wild side!
And the African American girls go;
Doo doo refrain
Then his:
Sooo, I think my parody is pretty Lou Reedish!
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter