The "Great Uniter" Update: Death Penalty In Beating, Burning Death in Underreported Black on White Hate Crime (With Video)

April 15, 2013

The State Attorney’s Office may seek the death penalty against three people accused of beating a woman then burning her alive.

Anthony Lamar Pressley, 26, Kiesha LeShay Pugh, 28, and Gregory Edward Williams, 21, were each charged with homicide and robbery for the March 31 death of Melinda McCormick inside her burning apartment of Mobile Highway. All three have confessed, investigators said.

Deputies say an autopsy shows McCormick was hit 40 times with a hammer, lead pipe and crow bar. She was still alive when her bed sheets were set on fire, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. They were caught on video (see below) headed to and away from the area of the apartment.

Williams reportedly told investigators that he hated white people, and that was a partial reason for the crime.The trio allegedly planned to steal Social Security money from McCormick. Officials said arson charges may also be added against the men.

“This was a particular hateful crime,” Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said. “One of the saddest parts of this story is that the card that they intended to steal was not even in the woman’s residence.”





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