Cheyenne Williams Brutally Attacked: Juvenile Prank OR Hate Crime

Cheyenne Williams was brutally attacked and kidnapped by three of her classmates. Even worse, they tried to push Cheyenne over a 50-foot cliff. Moreover, the incident happened on the national “Day of Silence” – a day intended to raise awareness about gender and sexual based violence. Cheyenne and her mother call it a hate crime. The police call it a juvenile prank. It baffles me that prior to further investigation the Kentucky State police officers are already dismissing the idea of this being a hate crime. Of course this wouldn’t be the first time the justice system completely ignored homophobic violence when it was right in their face. Here are some of the specifics.

Williams has known the three suspects since sixth grade and has been “out” for years, but Kentucky State Police say they haven’t yet found evidence to substantiate a qualification of a hate crime, according to CBS affiliate WKYT.

According to the criminal complaint, filed by Williams on Monday, the three suspects took Williams against her will to Flat Lick Falls were they allegedly attacked her at the falls and tried to push her off a 50-foot cliff, state police said. Williams then brandished a stick at the girls and was able to get away.

The girls later found her and forced her back into the car but then let her go, warning her not to say anything, according the complaint.

School officials said the “Day of Silence” anti-violence event Friday, promoted by the national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Alliance, did spark some controversy on campus. While some students wore stickers in support of the observance, others protested the event by wearing stickers that said “Gay is not the way.” It wasn’t clear which side of the debate the three suspects were on.

Ashley N. Sams, 18, of Annville and Corrine M. Schwab, 18 of Sandgap, were arrested and charged with kidnapping and attempted murder. A third 17-year-old girl was also charged in connection with the attack but those charges, and her name, are being withheld because she is a juvenile.

About aj: Andrew (AJ) is a vehement progressive, youth activist, and reproductive justice organizer. When he's not busy with the movement, you can usually find him dancing in the club or watching trashy reality tv.