Census Worker Death: "Very Serious Concern" That Hanging Was Politically Motivated (VIDEO)

Associated Press reporter Devlin Barrett was on MSNBC's "Rachel Maddow" show Wednesday night to discuss the shocking death of a census worker in Kentucky.

"Obviously the details -- the few details we know at this point are very disturbing," said Barrett, "and could feed a larger political argument if this ends up being the result of anti-government sentiment. But they don't know that for absolute certain yet. And part of the investigators' job is to rule out any other explanation for what happened."

Maddow asked if Barrett had seen any evidence that the crime had political motivations.

"I don't think federal law enforcement would still be involved a week and a half after the body was found if there wasn't still that very serious concern," he responded. "And they don't have all the answers yet. And some of the things they know they're not going to tell us because they're concerned that there may be perpetrators out there that they would very much like to catch. But ... part of the process we're in now is proving all the other alternate explanations."

Barrett added that "in the county where this death occurred, they have instructed their workers not to go door to door while this investigation continues. Clearly there's a great deal of concern within this census worker community in that area."

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Comments

[Artemis34]

Very sad.

Disgraceful.

[dhinds]

Make Using the Mass Media to Incite Violence Illegal.

Criminalize it, Penalize it, Remove those that Promote and Distribute it from the Airwaves, the Internet and Print, Incarcerate those that Act on it, Expropriate their Property and Require them to Pay Damages to the Victims and/or Families of those they Abuse.

Those inciting violence do so for money, while those acting on it are among the most ignorant, uneducated and mentally ill of all Americans. Require them to Respond for the Results of their Actions.

If this means another Civil War is going to occur, so be it. This can't be allowed to continue. Home Grown, unacceptable inhuman behavior is a much more serious problem than Terrorism Overseas.

In order for the USA to become a civilized nation, the rule of law is going to have to be applied and that (unfortunately) involves a cost. I sincerely hope legislators and citizens alike are up to it.

[Renifer]

The Associated Press reported:
This poor man was bound hand and foot. He was hanged.
The word "FED" was written on him.
His census worker ID card was taped to his head and shoulder.
He was found in the middle of a forest, naked except for his socks.
The police and the FBI are not releasing much information, even though his body was discovered two weeks ago. No arrests, and likely no leads, otherwise logic dictates that this would be front page news.

No one commits suicide this way. No one. This man was murdered.
He was a cancer survivor who had children.

The marking pen indicates either a direct motive, or misdirection.
I believe that it's direct motive, and that he was killed by someone who listened to some of the paranoid hate ramblings coming from right wing radio and/or television.
There are a lot of unemployed and disgruntled people thanks to Bush trashing the economy.
I believe that some right wing sociopath took Rush/Beck/Bachmann/OReilly to heart and killed this poor public servant who was doing a dangerous and low paying job because Bush destroyed the economy and he couldn't find any other work to support him.
Hate speech may very well have had EVERYTHING to do with this killing.
Thank God for Rachel Maddow and the Associated Press. This man's killer should be brought to justice, and those that egged him on should be tried for sedition and for inciting violence.

[SusanMH]

The coroner has confirmed that the word "FED" was written on the man's chest with a felt-tip marker.

[Dari]

Ah yes, this just TRULY disproves Congressman Cantor's reiterated comment yesterday that there is NO violence or threat of violence.

Yup, and the Congressman should know. He was SUCH a man to conduct his townhalls by telephone over the Congressional break and has gotten LOADS of air time for the last public one where his lack of compassion has been replayed.

[Merckx]

I am shocked this isn't getting mainstream press coverage.
Is there a gag order with the networks, etc?
Actually, I'm not shocked. Nothing shocks me anymore.

[mflorian]

If it gets roundly ignored, it might get on Project Censored next year.

[sherbug]

I don't think MSM likes the implications in light of recent statements made by Michelle Bachmann and others and the whole anti-government rhetoric from the conservatives.

[fishretired]

I think until the facts are known it is very difficult to do much with this story. It may be a random killing having nothing to do with politics, etc. For MSM to label it heavily as a likely political attack runs the risks that they will be roundly criticized for inciting fear without reason. Better to wait and get the facts folks.

[sherbug]

The woman got killed on the Yale Campus on a Tuesday and by the weekend they had a suspect and in the next couple of days had made an arrest.

A part time census worker get killed in the hollows of Kentucky and two weeks later no suspects and no arrests. Are they actually working this case?

This case is falling farther and farther off the mainstream news. I have only heard Rachel Maddow actually cover this story. The rest of the media doesn't want anything to do with it because of its implications. The right wing cannot be allowed to bury this story which I believe they are trying to do.

[lisaman]

The guy at Yale left a ton of evidence. That may not be the case with the murder of the census worker. Just because we have not been informed of suspects does not mean there are none.

But I do agree about the media coverage, I saw it covered very briefly on HLN. I read some articles about the guy and nobody seemed to be able to say anything bad about him. He earned his degree while he went through cancer treatments. He was a part time teacher and from all accounts, his students loved him. I think this world has suffered a great loss with this man's murder. Imagine fighting and winning the battle against cancer only to be murdered in such a way. Read this article, in it a former Kentucky state trooper talks about his friend.

http://www.lex18.com/news/fbi-investigating-hanging-death-of-kentucky-us-census-worker/

[sherbug]

I guess you are right. Thanks for the article.

[fishretired]

No offense,but I think that is crazy and I'm a diehard liberal Obama fan. Relax and wait and see, but my guess is the evidence will be hard to come by in this one.

[mariah793]

I don't buy the notion that he stumbled into pot harvesting or meth-making. I'm from Kentucky, have done some work in that county and have spent alot of time on back roads in other rural areas of the state. Most all people who live in isolated areas have loud dogs to warn of approaching cars. Bad guys have bad dogs. If you drive up to their house or farm, they'll get the dogs under control, meet you at the car and be just as nice & friendly as can be. Their objective is to get rid of you without attracting attention.

I've been all over and never seen a pot field. Most, I believe, are identified by air. People from the "outside" rarely get off trails even when they are hiking the Daniel Boone. The snakes are bad and the terrain is treacherous.

This is just a strange case and there's no way of concluding anything at this time. I'm only interested in it now because I'm from the state and it is an interesting place.

[harhar2]

They mentioned on the news last night that they were investigating the possibility this could be either a suicide, an accidental hanging, or (after thought) murder. I did not see one word of it in our local paper this morning, and my guess is that it will be just swept under the rug. I mean... accidental? Why would a person write "Fed" on their chest and just "oops!" slip and accidentally hang themselves?

[fishretired]

Because even the FED part has not been confirmed by law enforcement yet so everone needs to be slow and careful in the reporting. Don't act just like the right wind hysterical media.

[KPKING]

Here is a sample of what they are saying over on the Fauxnation website about this.


Vote the Socialists out:

The lie-berals (commies) killed this guy.


tlt61:

This guy was just a part-time census worker. Just think what will happen when the Civilian National Defense Force comes into the neighborhood! Bring lots of bodybags.

Lee Harvey:

I'm using the wood chipper,if an Acorn slug shows up.

PATRIOT STORM:

It's my understanding the killer thought this guy worked for ACORN.

be:
9.7% unemployment is Hussein's fault and if it weren't so high maybe this guy would have had a better job!! His death is Hussein's fault!!

be:

They saw the big ape MO and couldn't help it!!

Vote the Socialists out:

Just like you commies like to say, where is the proof? For all we know the commies killed this guy to blame it on the right. Just like the commie who vandalized the DNC office in Colorado to set up the GOP.


Greg:

Get ready for "False Flag". Leftist crazies are so bent out of shape that I don't put it past them to kill a man to make it look like a right-winger did it, like the DNC windows in Colorado.

[ProudAmerican77]

why are my posts censured?? oh, I know, because I tell the truth about liberals.

[apduncan1]

And the truth is ?

[SeeDaddy]

And how do you know what you believe is actually rue?

[sherbug]

I don't think its personal. Everyone's post get deleted from time to time.

Your truth is according to Fox News and the conservative talking heads. You are a zombie without the capacity to understand anything unless it is spoon fed to you.

[mom2luke]

WWJD? “Let no unwholesome thing before my eyes.” ... ProudAmerican indeed. Jesus was hardest on the hypocrits. Don't just watch what you say, watch what you THINK. You can make your points without being hateful.

[Travis bdboy]

My bet would be a r9dn9ck was doing what his grandaddy did

Keeping the art of rope tying in the family

[audit]

my bet would be suicide - but then you can't play it off on race.

[SeeDaddy]

Race? The victim was white. Do you know how many how man non-whites there are in Clay County, KY? If any, you could count them using the fingers on one hand.

[zola77]

Suicide? How does one duct tape their own arms and legs and then manage to climb up a tree with a rope and hang himself?

[Exexecution]

Looks like the handiwork of the thug O'Keeke and his ho

[Cygnus-X1]

My question is... It's been nearly 2 weeks since this poor fellows hanging body was discovered. Why isn't there any more information on this? Nearly every "report" I've seen is just one speculation after another and those are doing little more than inspiring the general population to create their own.

Law officials and the media aren't doing anyone a favour here.

[mom2luke]

Hopefully it is just b/c FBI keeps investigation cards close to its vest....killer is still on the loose. Do we really want them to tell us how they're trying to catch him?

[respected]

There are some silent and scary things that are being put into place that will significantly sway the 2010 election s in favor of the rethugs. A right wing group is in the process of buying the Diebold company and its interest. ACORN is being removed so that it will not register minorites to vote. Some one on the left needs to keep an eye and be alert. Manipulations could become greater than in a third world country that we like to run and act as monitors for. Scary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dgventers]

>>ACORN is being removed so that it will not register minorites to vote.

Read the headlines. It has everything to do with a corrupt organization. Fear mongering and conspiracy theories by leftnuts are not going to help anyone.

[respected]

Truth hurts and scares you. Doesn't it?

[PhilipB]

Has anyone noticed that people called "tro;;s" just seem to change their name and post here?they have a few fans, and reason and intelligence is past them? I do believe these are paid persons, I do and I know it. I have heard them laugh about it. they think by repeating the most stupid of things that in the hope that eventually people will believe it. It is very cynical, and politics is a big business.
I would caution anyone to listen to those who state wild claims in soundbites.
For those who do this is you should know we see you, and you cannot derail a discussion.

Reason. rational thought, careful consideration and reasonable deduction will always prevail, no matter any party affiliation.
It is in the republicans court now to tone down the hateful rhetoric which could tear apart this country.
You know it, I know it, they know it and everyone can see it.

[Pem3]

The force that is tearing this country apart is fear and distrust in people and government. Case in point the statements you have just made and the lumping of people into a group. You do not like what they say and distrust who they are.
So you are out spreading the same hateful distrust that you are speaking out against.
There maybe some people out there with to much time and low ethics, but do not stoop down to that range of debating.

[PhilipB]

Reason. rational thought, careful consideration and reasonable deduction will always prevail, no matter any party affiliation.
That was a quote from what I wrote. What part of that is hateful distrust?
I am commenting on paid members of right wing groups who will say "meth lab" to deflect the truth, or comments by those who repeat a politically motivated distortion.
Seriously, Pem3, haven't you had enough of the lies and hate?
I mean, do you approve of this?
And yes, I will speak out against it.
Best to you. I am sorry you cannot see who I am or what I have written.

[dgventers]

>>I do believe these are paid persons, I do and I know it. I have heard them laugh about it.

The laughing you hear is directed at your pathetic posts full of nonsense and paranoia. Keep going, you have me busting a gut right now.

[PhilipB]

No, I am a reasonable person, and yes, I have heard people from right wing groups laugh about their job to discredit those who speak out against politically motivated hate and lies.

[Exexecution]

"they have a few fans"

yeah, the fans are always their alternate profiles, though

[hamchunk]

How do I get paid for this? Give up the addresses. C'mon, man, I don't have all day!!

[PhilipB]

Oh my.