Four Charged For Murder Of Black Man Found Burning In Ditch
Yesterday, we reported the horrific news that a black man was found burning in a ditch in Iowa.
Four white people have now been charged for the murder of 44-year-old Michael Williams, from Grinnell. The NAACP believes Williams was targeted because he was black, however, police have not yet revealed a motive.
Speaking at a joint press conference Dennis Reilly, police chief of Grinnell said, “I want to be clear to say: This was not a random act of violence. Those responsible for this heinous act, they knew each other. They were associates. They hung out together. Mike was part of their circle.”
“The investigation has revealed no evidence to show the acts against Michael Williams were motivated by his race nor that his death was the result of a hate crime,” the Iowa Department of Public Safety said in a release.
RELATED: Black Man’s Body Discovered Burning In Iowa Ditch
Police believe that Steven Vogel strangled Williams on Sept. 12. His body was then wrapped, bound and dumped in a ditch and set on fire.
Julia Cox, 55, Roy Lee Garner, 57, and Cody Johnson, 29, were also arrested for being an accessory and abuse of a corpse.
Adam DeCamp, a special agent with the Iowa Department of Public Safety said that Vogel amd Williams knew each other,
“Evidence and statements gathered during this investigation have shown that Mr. Williams and Vogel were known acquaintances who often socialized within the same circle of friends,” DeCamp said in a statement.
