Charges Against Shannon Finley, Charles Crostley Dropped in the Dragging Case of Brandon McClelland, a Black Man, Sparks Protests

Paris, Texas, has maintained its record as one of the most racists cities in the United States. There is a pattern of racial inequality for blacks and whites in this city, which is no stranger to controversy. A group of protesters gathered to voice their concerns about the fact that a black man's life isn't worth the same as a white man's life, in that city at least. The protest was organized last week after special prosecutor Toby Shook, citing a lack of evidence, had charges dismissed against Shannon Finley and Charles Crostley, who were accused of killing their friend Brandon McClelland. His mangled body was found Sept. 16 on a country road, and authorities say he'd been dragged more than 70 feet beneath a vehicle.

The two men, who maintain their innocence, were released Thursday with no restrictions after more than eight months in jail. Authorities had arrested Finley and Crostley, working on the theory that the trio went on a late night beer run into Oklahoma from their dry county. On the way back, authorities alleged, the men argued over whether Finley was too drunk to drive. McClelland got out of the truck to walk home, and Finley ran over him.

But investigators working for the defendants' attorneys located a gravel truck driver who last month gave a sworn statement acknowledging he might have accidentally run over McClelland. Shook said it was unlikely the trucker would face charges, but that the investigation into McClelland's death would continue. Source: Yahoo News

This also brings front and center the incident involving James Byrd, a black man, who met a similar fate in Texas. He was chained by his ankles to a pickup by three white men and dragged to death in 1998 in the East Texas town of Jasper. Two of the killers are on death row, and the third is serving life in prison. Where is the justice for Brandon McClelland? This isn't fair. It's downright racist. This man didn't tie himself to the vehicle and drag himself for miles. Someone had to do it and they should pay for their actions.