No hate crime charges in torture case!

CHARLESTON -- U.S. Attorney Charles Miller announced Wednesday that his office will not seek federal charges in the alleged rape and torture of a Charleston woman.

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Megan Williams, 20, was recovering at Charleston Area Medical Center's General Hospital after
police said she was kidnapped, beaten, tortured and held against her will at a home in Logan County. Six people have been charged in connection with the incident.

"Because of the serious nature of the pending charges in Logan County, both in the factual allegations and in the potential penalties if the defendants are convicted, we have and will continue to work closely with local authorities," Miller said in a release. "At this time, we believe it is appropriate to defer to the Logan County Prosecutor in pursuing the state charges against the defendants.'

Because Williams is black and the six suspects are white, some have called on authorities to classify this as a hate crime.

"There is no doubt, from what I've seen, that race was a contributing factor," said Logan County Prosecutor Brian Abraham. "Whether it was the sole motivating factor or a motivating factor, I want to wait until we get all the evidence in to this office before I make that determination."

Williams' mother said Tuesday the family is trying to cope.

"I know the Lord will somehow bring us through this, but you know, it's just devastating," said Carmen Williams.

Deputies say they received a tip Saturday that a woman was being held against her will at the Brewster residence in the Big Creek area of Logan County, according to a release from the Logan County Sheriff's Department.

When police arrived, Frankie Brewster was sitting on the front porch. She told the officer that she was alone, the release said.

As she was speaking with the officer, Brewster got up and started walking toward the door. That's when police say the victim "limped toward the door with her arms held out saying 'help me,'" the release said.

They found the Megan Williams inside the home with stab wounds to her legs and bruised eyes, the release said. Deputies said she'd also been sexually assaulted.

Family members say the nightmare began at least a week earlier.

"She has a history of kinda drifting off every once in a while so I just thought she was running around town like she usually does," said Carmen Williams

Authorities say Megan was being held hostage by 24-year-old Bobby Brewster and his mother, 49-year-old Frankie Brewster.

Police say the Brewsters, as well as four other suspects, tortured Megan Williams for days by severely beating, stabbing and raping her.

Police say they forced her to perform sex acts on multiple people. She was even made to lick up blood as well as rat and dog feces, according to court documents.

"I was shocked. I really can't understand how anybody could do anyone like that," Williams said.

The criminal complaint shows the group threatened to kill Megan if she left and shouted racial slurs at her during the abuse.

Carmen Williams said she thinks race did play a part in the ordeal, but now she is just focusing on her daughter's recovery and hoping others can learn from their story.

"I want other parents and other mothers to realize that there are people out there like that. To keep a closer eye on their children," she said. "You never think it'll happen to your child but obviously I never thought, but here we are."

The victim's most severe injuries include a fractured arm and a deep stab wound on her leg.

Deputies are still trying to determine just how long Megan Williams was held against her will. They say it could have been a week or longer.

"I mean, I've been in law enforcement for over 30 years, and this is probably the most horrendous thing that I've ever seen or ever encountered," said Logan County Sheriff Eddie Hunter.

Those charged include Frankie and Bobby Brewster, Danny Combs, George Messer, Karen Burton and Alisha Burton, the release said.

They face a slew of charges including kidnapping, sexual assault and malicious wounding.

Karen Burton – charged with malicious wounding, battery, assault during the commission of a felony.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Logan County, she pulled the victim’s hair, choked the victim, cut her ankles and told her “that’s what we do to niggers around here.”

Bobby R. Brewster – charged with kidnapping, first-degree sexual assault, malicious wounding, assault during commission of a felony.

According to the criminal complaint, Brewster forced to victim to have sex with him, threatened to kill her, stabbed the victim and forced her to eat rat and dog feces and drink from a toilet bowl.

Danny J Combs – charged with first-degree sexual assault and malicious wounding.

According to the criminal complaint, he forced the victim to have sex with him at knife point.

Frankie Lee Brewster - charged with giving false information, second-degree sexual assault, kidnapping, malicious wounding.

According to the criminal complaint, Brewster forced the victim to have oral sex with her, threatened to kill the victim and withheld information from police when they arrived at her residence to investigate a missing person report.

Alisha Burton - charged with assault during the commission of a felony, battery.

According to the criminal complaint, Burton beat and choked the victim.

The suspects had lengthy criminal records

In 1994, Frankie Brewster was indicted on first degree murder charges, but pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of an 84-year old woman. In March of this year, her son Bobby Brewster, was charged with brandishing a deadly weapon. Last year he was charged with battery on a police officer.

Combs' criminal history includes a malicious wounding charge in 2006.

Messer has several domestic violence charges, including second offense domestic assault and burglary.

Karen Burton and her daughter Alisha have also been arrested on numerous occasions. Karen Burton has been charged with assault on a police officer. Her daughter was charged with domestic assault in May.