Lunenburg Massachusetts Racist Case
From day one I found this case to be a little suspect. I felt this case had all the hallmarks of someone who wanted a little attention. Spray painting racists words on the back of a house on the cement foundation where no one could see it, loses impact. It would also appear that spray painting on the cement foundation would cause very little damage and could be easily removed. That just did not make sense to me. A racist would have spray painted their hate on the front of the house on the siding for all to see. I stated to an Associate of mine when I was asked how will they find the person/persons responsible. I explained that there is a procedure when doing a Handwriting/Document Examination Case that should be followed. If executed properly the person/persons responsible will be found through their handwriting.
In a case of this nature the investigation starts at the home where the graffiti was found. Everyone in the home must be ruled out first. Then the investigation continues out from that starting point.
Law Enforcement is going into the house now weeks after the writing was found, that should have been done first. If innocent and not involved everyone in the house would have been more then happy to assist Law Enforcement in giving Handwriting Samples and spray painting the words on large paper sheets to duplicate the method in which the graffiti was spray painted. The innocent move forward and would have been more than happy to be ruled out first so the investigation could move forward in a timely manner.
Law Enforcement searched the house today, the News Media was parked outside and asked the father what was going on, The father statement was curious. He stated " You can sleep out here all night , I have no comment." Police have said the parents aren't cooperating with the investigation.
The normally "camera-friendly" Anthony Phillips was also not so friendly when he walked down his driveway.
A no-trespassing sign now sits on the property. I find this behavior very curious indeed. This case has all the hallmarks of an attention seeking ploy.
I will post the findings of the police investigation as information becomes available.
LUNENBURG, Mass. (WHDH)
Police have focused their investigation into the racist graffiti in Lunenburg on the mother, Andrea Brazier, of the boy who was targeted. Authorities now suggest that the entire incident could simply be a hoax, following a search warrant of the Phillips' home on Tuesday."Most of the leads that we have followed up throughout the investigation have led back towards the house," said Lt. Mike Luth, Lunenburg Police Dept.
Lunenburg police say Brazier is their only suspect.
The search warrant says that authorities took away ammunition from the house and two cans of spray paint. The warrant also says they were looking for examples of Brazier's handwriting "It's hard to believe that a person that lives in this community would do that to their own home and basically shock and devastate a whole town," said Stuart Leinson, son plays football.
Brazier's son Isaac was the only black player on the football team and after the family called police to report the graffiti, the school district canceled the football season. The town held a candlelight vigil vowing racism has no place in Lunenburg. Isaac Phillips transferred to a different school.The police investigation originally focused on football players as suspects, but the students were all cleared earlier this week. "I feel very sad for the seniors that did not get to play in the last two football games, which obviously would mean so much to them," Leinson said.
Police have not said how they will proceed with the case, or if there will be an arrest.
The superintendent of schools released a statement defending her decision to cancel the remainder of the football games. The superintendent said it was made with the information available at the time and not as a punishment but in the interest of the safety of the players and the students as well.
