Nebraska vigilante case just another in a string of similar incidents

On Saturday, May 16, Mattieo Condoluci, a publicly registered sex offender, was found shot to death inside his Omaha, Nebraska home. James Fairbanks, also of Omaha, surrendered voluntarily, took responsibility for the murder, and is being held in the Douglas County jail. Fairbanks stated that he learned of Condoluci’s status as a convicted sexual offender via the Nebraska sex offender registry.

Fairbank’s wonton murder of Condoluci’s (who is required by law to register as a sex offender) is just the latest in vigilante murders facilitated by public access to a sex offender registry:

• Washington State in 2005 – two registered people murdered;
• Maine in 2006 – two registered people murdered;
• California in 2011 – one registered person murdered;
• Washington State again in 2012 – two registered people murdered; and
• South Carolina in 2013 – two people murdered – one registered person and his wife.

These are just the best documented cases; there have been more, an indeterminable number more. These cases, in addition to all being cold-blooded murders carried out by vigilantes, have one thing in common: They were all facilitated by nothing other than the victim’s existence on a public sexual offender registry.

“There are individuals out there,” said Brenda Jones, NARSOL’s executive director, “who feel they have the right to kill those whose past actions they find despicable. The posting of names and addresses on a public shaming registry is telling these individuals exactly where to go.”

The efficacy of sexual offender registries in reducing recidivism and improving public safety is shown to be nonexistent.

According to Sandy Rozek, NARSOL’s communication director, “There is no justification in preserving a system that does not reduce re-offense rates, does not lower the rate of sexual assault, and that, rather than contributing to public safety, increases the danger to the public in many ways, one of which is painting a target on the foreheads of those with previous sexual crime convictions and giving their would-be killers a roadmap to their doors.”

NARSOL condemns, in the strongest possible terms, vigilante activity, most especially murder, of persons on sexual offense registries and calls on the federal government and states to immediately take the necessary steps to eliminate the online dissemination of these registries. ]]> https://ncrsol.org/2020/05/civil-rights-organization-calls-on-state-federal-govts-to-abolish-registries/feed/ 9 3992 https://ncrsol.org/2018/05/offender-registry-version-2-0/ https://ncrsol.org/2018/05/offender-registry-version-2-0/#respond Sat, 12 May 2018 19:33:20 +0000 https://ncrsol.org/?p=890 SAMMY D — The sex offender registry and draconian laws aimed at offenders has destroyed lives of individuals and families. Today a new form of offender registration has transpired. This new offender registry creates life sentences using the internet as its delivery method carefully skirting libel and slander policies under the blanket of free speech. Naturally, this is not a registry, but social movements are utilizing social media platforms to quasi-create a public registry with no hopes of being removed or deleted.

A recent news segment mentioned an R&B superstar named R.Kelly. Kelly is one of pop music’s best-selling artists, with hits including “Ignition,” ”I Believe I Can Fly,” ”Step in the Name of Love,” ”Same Girl” and “Bump N’ Grind.” He has also written hits for Celene Dion, Michael Jackson, and Lady Gaga. He was acquitted in 2008 of child pornography after a video circulated appearing to show him having sex with a teenage girl. However, as he continued to score hits and sell out stadiums, more women have come forward in recent years accusing him of sexual misconduct. Kelly had been scheduled to be among the performers at current concert venues but was dropped as efforts by organizers of #MuteRKelly gained attention with support from Hollywood’s Time’s Up campaign.

Society is witnessing new tactics to create and facilitate registry styled methods using constructive hashtags and meme styled photos similar to police lineups. All these methods are protected by free speech rights. There are disturbing trends with guilt by association tactics using political individuals seen in pictures or appearances with individuals accused but never charged with sexual improprieties. The same strategy is being used on individuals as a result of news and information shifting from regular news sources to social media.  Social justice movements have become strikingly similar to recreating sex offender registry models by combining low-level offenses with significant offenses presenting an appearance of guilt for anyone mentioned. Additionally, to be associated with the accused, guilty, or suspected has created a panic based fear that will eventually become more violent as anger and social stigma increases. Does this imply that we should stop listening or supporting Elvis Presley because he dated a 14-year-old girl? Moreover, does it suggest that hearing or being an Elvis fan makes you a supporter of statutory rights? The question is, “when does the conversation begin?” or is this electronic vigilantism stirred by social movements with no real agenda or cause? Are freedoms of choice under assault?

If the sex offender registry was not enough to restrict movement and liberties, then the internet has an interesting way of making life nearly as difficult for those not on the registry. Spotify and Pandora are sizeable online streaming music services. They recently removed artists from its collection where fans must search for specific content. Movies starting accused or guilty offenders have been quickly removed from major content providers. Art has recently been removed from galleries because corporations or entities do not wish to be spotlighted with pressure from social movements. Most interesting, social movements or mob justice campaigning efforts are shaming those that listen, watch, or support such artists. That has many inquiring who is the bully or aggressor in this case?

Social justice movements do have a nice effect on placing a spotlight on specific issues that need addressing. However, at the same time, these causes must educate everyone with equal effect and allow occasional discourse to remedy problems from getting out of hand.  Those that differ should have an opportunity to be heard. Sex offender registries have harmed individuals, families, and supporters. The same tactics are occurring with social justice campaigns damaging artists, fans, companies, and the innocent. Just as offender registries lump all into one category, social justice movements are incidentally doing the same. While #metoo and #timesup campaigns initially were valid, that effect has morphed into anger, antagonism, and losing focus on the opportunity for open dialog and discussion. Maybe its time to stop and take a moment to #listen where a constructive dialog helping shed pain, frustration, and integrity are reintroduced? The internet has a tendency not to be forgiving. Let’s hope that humanity and social justice isn’t becoming like the internet.