Peterson and O.J. - reply to repsac3

Submitted by jennifer solis (United States), Feb 24, 2009 at 20:55

repsac3,

In response to my question, "how often does domestic violence end with decapitation?", your reply -

"All I know for certain is, it's more often than we might at first think, and more often than it should..... Murders involving removal of the victum's head are alot more common here in the USA than I ever would've thought."

Sources, please? I was specifically speaking about domestic violence murders, not murders in general; however, decapitation is unusual among murders in the U.S., domestic violence-related or not. In the year 2000, 65.5% of murders in the U.S.A. were by firearms.

See: http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel01/cius2000.htm

With regards to Peterson and O.J. -

Nicole Brown was NOT decapitated -

"...Anatomical Summary: I. Incised wound of neck: a. Transection of left and right common carotid arteries b. Incisions, left and right internal jugular veins...II. Multiple stab wounds of neck and scalp (total of seven)..."

See: http://www.justicejunction.com/judicial_injustice_oj_autopsy_report_nbs.htm

Neither was Laci Peterson - the pathologist who testified at the trail, Dr. Brian Peterson (no relation), testified that he had examined the remains for any signs that Laci's extremeties had been physically cut off, but could find nothing conclusive - "For example, if a joint were taken apart with a knife or a saw, that would oftentimes leave marks on the bone. There were no such marks." He went on to say the tides and the currents in San Francisco Bay, or fish eating away at her flesh, could have cause the body to tear apart (Laci Peterson' body was missing the head, both forearms, and one leg below the knee).

http://www.findlaci2003.us/witness-peterson-brian-autopsy.html

From the few sites I was able to find regarding the manner of domestic violence murders, it would seem firearms are the most common manner of death (although I did find one incident of a staple-gun as the murder weapon).

Regarding your wonder at why readers here were giving you "flak", perhaps it was the way you formed your own reply - "I'm appalled at those who need see nothing more than a Muslim man and a dead female to dub this murder an honor killing brought about by a religion or culture..."

I can't speak for other readers, but your assumption that all I saw was a "Muslim man and a dead female" is insulting. I imagine it was probably so for others as well.

Though decapitation alone does not an honor killing make (the two daughters in Texas were shot by their Muslim father), the violence and brutality involved fits with honor killing; the murderer's apparent lack of remorse; also I would argue it was planned (he had to bring the murder weapon with him to the office; I doubt a letter-opener would have worked). #1,#2,#3, #6 and #7 of Phyllis Chesler's table describing honor killing fits, in my opinion.

And yes, he was Muslim.

Turkey, Jordan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia - the home of honor killings - has now expanded to Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom...and what can't be denied is that "honor killings" are comitted by Muslims; they are unique to Islam.

I, for one, do not wish the U.S.A. to fall victum as well. Think of all the Muslim women who enjoy the freedom, the justice in this country. Turning a blind eye towards the possibility of Aasiya Z. Hassan's murder being an "honor killing" will only encourage, condone more.

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