On Monday, the news of a Muslim girl being killing in northern Virginian went viral as speculation swirled that she was the victim of a hate crime. According to police, the tragic incident was the result of road rage by Darwin Martinez Torrez, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador. That night, both CBS and NBC ignored the story, while ABC hid Torrez’s legal status. It took NBC until Wednesday night to mention the murder, and even then they censored his legal status while pushing the idea that it was a hate crime.
“Police say it was a result of road rage, but prosecutors say they can't rule out a hate crime. It's a deadly incident that's touched a nerve across the country,” announced Anchor Lester Holt during NBC Nightly News after noting that the young girl, Nabra Hassanen’s funeral occurred earlier that day.
After describing how roughly 5,000 people attended the solemn occasion, Justice Correspondent Pete Williams ran though some of the events that led up to the murder. “Investigators say it began Sunday morning in suburban Virginia when a driver confronted a group of Muslim teens on their way to a mosque for Ramadan services. Most fled, but she was caught,” he reported.
“Police arrested a 22-year-old construction worker, Darwin Martinez Torres,” was all Williams had to say about her killer, but there was way more to him. According to a New York Times report, Torrez “is an undocumented immigrant who entered the United States illegally, federal authorities said on Tuesday.” In addition, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials issued a detainer for possible deportation and “to keep him in custody in the event that he could be released.”
On top of not reporting Torrez’s legal status, Williams also danced around the cause of the attack being her religion. In appearing to flip-flop, Williams stated that “authorities originally appeared to discount a hate crime. Prosecutors now say they cannot rule out pursuing hate crime charges, but they say no evidence so far points in that direction.”
“They say it appeared to be the result of an incident of road rage. But her father says because she was wearing Muslim dress he believes she was targeted because of her religion,” Williams added.
And despite the lack of evidence that a hate crime occurred, Williams highlighted protesters around the country who claimed it was one. “Even so, her death has prompted rallies and demonstrations in other cities calling for a thorough investigation, many holding banners that say ‘justice for Nabra,’” he said. “Back at today's funeral, mourners say they support the family and everyone wants answers.”
One unidentified woman told Williams that “they're grieving, and you know, they want to make sure that every possible motive is investigated whether it's hate crime, whether it's even the smallest things.”
In due time, the truth will come out about why Torrez decided to kill an innocent young girl. And hopefully, the Big Three Networks will report on all of the details about her attacker. CBS still has yet to mention the murder during either their morning or evening broadcasts.
Transcript below:
NBC Nightly News
June 21, 2017
7:10:31 PM EasternLESTER HOLT: In Virginia today, thousands of people turned out for the funeral of a young woman who was killed over the weekend after leaving a mosque with friends. Police say it was a result of road rage, but prosecutors say they can't rule out a hate crime. It's a deadly incident that's touched a nerve across the country. And we get details from our Justice Correspondent Pete Williams.
[Cuts to video]
PETE WILLIAMS: As many as 5,000 members of suburban Washington, D.C.'s Muslim community turned out for the funeral, some walking more than a mile to get there, to remember Nabra Hassanen, a 17-year-old who was beat to death Sunday, and to express their solidarity.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: It's a really hard time for the people here. This could have easily happened to anyone, either male or female.
WILLIAMS: Investigators say it began Sunday morning in suburban Virginia when a driver confronted a group of Muslim teens on their way to a mosque for Ramadan services. Most fled, but she was caught. Police arrested a 22-year-old construction worker, Darwin Martinez Torres. They say it appeared to be the result of an incident of road rage. But her father says because she was wearing Muslim dress he believes she was targeted because of her religion.
MAHMOUD HASSANEN: Why you kill my daughter? For what? We don't do anything to him.
WILLIAMS: Authorities originally appeared to discount a hate crime. Prosecutors now say they cannot rule out pursuing hate crime charges, but they say no evidence so far points in that direction. They're also looking at whether she was sexually assaulted before her body was left at a lake. Even so, her death has prompted rallies and demonstrations in other cities calling for a thorough investigation, many holding banners that say “justice for Nabra.” Back at today's funeral, mourners say they support the family and everyone wants answers.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: They're grieving, and you know, they want to make sure that every possible motive is investigated whether it's hate crime, whether it's even the smallest things.
WILLIAMS: As her friends say goodbye to someone they say liked everybody. Pete Williams, NBC News, Washington.
