Local: Murder is murder, this year or last (CORRECTION)
Posted in Local with tags crime, MySpace on February 8, 2009 by Billy DennisPeoria’s first murder victim of the year is Mario McGee, a Woodruff High School graduate. And that’s a big deal for the media, it being a milestone of sorts. Had this same man died inexactly the same way on two months ago, would it be less or more worthy of note?
I found his MySpace page, if anyone wants to take a look at it. Lots of rough language and pics.
UPDATE: Gang signs all over his MySpace page, and now the Journal Star is reporting that somone shot at a car he was in at least three different times. Oh, and someone beat him up too.
UPDATE 2: I am being told that:
1. Those weren’t gang signs at all.
2. That Mario was hated by gang members because he wasn’t one of them.
What I saw on the site was a lot of teen who dressed like the part (yes, I know it’s considered a style), flashed a lot of hand gestures, and copious use of the “N” word.
I might have jumped to conclusions, but the content of the Web site itself has a lot to blame for that.
Due to lack evidence (and many statements to the contrary) , I’ll apologize for implying he was a gang member. And I’ll let Emerge Peoria have the last word.
Mario’s messages on his MySpace page are riddled with the “n” word. Now, the average Peoria Pundit reader may not appreciate the way Mario communicated his thoughts, that’s their prerogative. However, Mario’s words to his friends, who he endearingly called “my n****a” are words of encouragement. There were reports of gang signs on his MySpace page. I must not know what a gang sign is – because I didn’t see one.
