
Photo by volcanojw
Happy day after Thanksgiving, D.C. All of us here at DCist wish you a relaxing day free from gastrointestinal distress and enraged, deal-seeking shoppers. We'll be posting rather sparsely today, but here's a few links to enjoy while you continue digesting.
- Some poor soul at the Washington Post had to get down to Columbia Heights at 4 a.m. this morning to take stock of how many people were in line at the DCUSA shopping center. Apparently the line "stretched down 14th Street and around the corner." OK then.
- Things in Mumbai are grim. Slate has a good summary of everything that's been reported so far. A Virginia man and his daughter were killed in the attacks.
- Today marks the first day of a week of tax-free shopping in the District.
- Accused Columbia Heights robber Michael Richardson turned himself in on Wednesday.
- Police have arrested a second suspect, Angela Hernandez, 20, in the slaying of Michael and Virginia Spevak. Can't help but feel like the speed of these arrests lies in direct proportion to how rich and white the victims are.



Can't help but feel like dcist either needs to address race full on, or not at all. vague accusations of racism are unwanted and a waste of time/effort. like handjobs.
The fact that the couple was wealthy and killed by the very kids they worked so hard to help may be the reason why the media has given this story so much coverage, but the "speed of the arrests" in this case has to do with the stupidity of the criminals, not racial bias.
The murderers burned the couple's car a block away from where one of the murderers lived, and a nosy neighbor found "additional credit and identification cards" for the Spevaks in the killer's backyard . When questioned by the police, the woman confessed. Alot of criminals are stupid, no matter what the color of their skin or that of their victims.
What, nothing about the death of Jonathan Rees?
oops - meant to say "that the couple was white, wealthy, and..."
I have to agree with gmail and dc chica... the not-so-covert racism in some commentary is really getting out of control. To add what they said, maybe the fact that witnesses in the neighborhood actually bothered to talk to police made a difference in how fast the arrests were made? It's a lot easier to proceed with an investigation when members of the community are cooperative.
Can't help but feel like the speed of these arrests lies in direct proportion to how rich and white the victims are.
Nice!
Please stay on the line. Your business is important to us. Your estimated wait time is: 10 minutes and 40 seconds. If you are white, please press 1 and a
live operator will become available to help you.
I'm as quick to criticize the MPD as the next person but criticizing them for SOLVING A CRIME seems more than a little ridiculous.
Wow. that last paragraph is a real stinker. I'm just happy that the police caught the people who robbed and beat an old couple to death, regardless of their race. crazy, huh?
"Can't help but feel like the speed of these arrests lies in direct proportion to how rich and white the victims are."
Ah, Sommer. You never disappoint.
I really hope I can look you up in 20 years and see you when you get some actual life experience.
There's been no arrest in the Chandra Levy case.
Was she not rich and white enough for you?
Truth is this got craptons of media attention because everybody suspected that it was only a matter of time and we'd find out that there was some link between the killers and the charity outreach work the couple did.
It was every do-gooder's nightmare come true. As such, it was an irresitable local news story.
And when cases get craptons of media coverage there is more police attention given.
Plus, apparently, the suspects are dumb as rocks.
DCist, you've crossed the line with this one. If I actually thought you got paid, I'd say you should be fired.