![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
Trigger warnings for this article: mention of murder. Not graphic.
In September in Panama City, Florida: According to CBS, MSNBC, and other news, Stephanie P., 18, was charged with accessory to the murder of Jacob H., 16 in July. One of six suspects for involvement in the murder, Stephanie told the news station that she believes herself to be part vampire and part werewolf. At the time of arrest, her Facebook and Myspace described this as well.
The news articles conflict with one another a lot. Apparently the story has changed a few times.
I do not know whether any of the people mentioned in these articles have any involvement with the vampire or otherkin communities. The articles do not mention any such thing.
Just to reiterate from my earlier article on a different vampire criminal: People who call themselves “vampires” and/or are part of the vampire or otherkin communities are not necessarily violent criminals. From time to time, a criminal claims to be a vampire, and then the vampire community gets a lot of undesirable attention. Generally, these criminals weren't involved with the vampire community themselves. The vampire community strives to develop a respectable public image, and encourages development and discussion of ethics and safety.
For a collection of all news articles on this topic, see the thread on the Atlanta Vampire Alliance (AVA) Media Center forums, which I highly recommend for following any vampire-related news. Here’s a link to that thread, with trigger warnings for what the articles describe: murder, rape, violence, blood-drinking, teenagers in a cult, animal sacrifice. Some of which is described in semi-graphic detail.
Casey Glynn, "Fla. murder suspect claims she's part vampire, part werewolf." 2011-09-28. CBS/WTSP. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20112703-504083.html
Moonlitanna, “09.28.11 – Self-proclaimed half vampire/half werewolf charged with murder.” 2011-09-28. Atlanta Vampire Alliance (AVA) media center forums. http://atlantavampirealliance.com/forum/index.php?topic=2492
In September in Panama City, Florida: According to CBS, MSNBC, and other news, Stephanie P., 18, was charged with accessory to the murder of Jacob H., 16 in July. One of six suspects for involvement in the murder, Stephanie told the news station that she believes herself to be part vampire and part werewolf. At the time of arrest, her Facebook and Myspace described this as well.
The news articles conflict with one another a lot. Apparently the story has changed a few times.
I do not know whether any of the people mentioned in these articles have any involvement with the vampire or otherkin communities. The articles do not mention any such thing.
Just to reiterate from my earlier article on a different vampire criminal: People who call themselves “vampires” and/or are part of the vampire or otherkin communities are not necessarily violent criminals. From time to time, a criminal claims to be a vampire, and then the vampire community gets a lot of undesirable attention. Generally, these criminals weren't involved with the vampire community themselves. The vampire community strives to develop a respectable public image, and encourages development and discussion of ethics and safety.
For a collection of all news articles on this topic, see the thread on the Atlanta Vampire Alliance (AVA) Media Center forums, which I highly recommend for following any vampire-related news. Here’s a link to that thread, with trigger warnings for what the articles describe: murder, rape, violence, blood-drinking, teenagers in a cult, animal sacrifice. Some of which is described in semi-graphic detail.
Casey Glynn, "Fla. murder suspect claims she's part vampire, part werewolf." 2011-09-28. CBS/WTSP. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20112703-504083.html
Moonlitanna, “09.28.11 – Self-proclaimed half vampire/half werewolf charged with murder.” 2011-09-28. Atlanta Vampire Alliance (AVA) media center forums. http://atlantavampirealliance.com/forum/index.php?topic=2492
no subject
Date: 2011-11-06 05:15 pm (UTC)Thank you for posting the trigger warning on the article, I think that's a pretty handy idea. Also thank you for bringing the story to my attention and all your hard work for the community.
Sad that the girl expects to be behind bars her whole life now, though she might end up right the way the legal system seems to work. Also with so little information in the article it is difficult to know the full story. Then again that is nothing unusual either in the news.
no subject
Date: 2011-11-06 06:09 pm (UTC)It is a sad case, all around, yes. They're so young.
I think the way her case is being handled should be seen as a cautionary tale for everyone who thinks it's funny to make macabre statements on their Facebook and Myspace pages. Investigations take all that stuff very seriously, and then the media jumps on those particular aspects as perfect for sensationalism.
I don't know if we'll ever see follow-up articles on what happens to them. I tried to watch out for more information on the earlier Bensley case. Never found any articles telling how his case ended.