New Jewish group campaigning against Crist
07/23/2010
Last week, a new 527 group dubbing itself "Jewish Floridians for Truth" was formed to oppose Gov. Charlie Crist in his race for the U.S. Senate.
The group is being led by Ed Werner of Surfside who fought Crist over the execution of deathrow inmate Martin Grossman. Jewish Floridians for Truth is connected to another Werner 527 - Truth2010.org.
In a strongly worded statement, the group's website declares that, "Charlie Crist is so willing to win the Senate seat at all costs that he executed a mentally challenged man whom he knew was innocent in order to score a few extra political points."
Grossman was executed in February for the 1984 murder of Peggy Park, a 26-year old Florida Wildlife officer. Grossman and another man were shooting a stolen gun in a wooded area in Pinellas County when they were approached by Park.
Grossman attacked Park hitting her more than 20 times with a flashlight. He then shot her in the back of the head with Park's .357 service revolver.
Werner was part of a group protesting Grossman's execution. They said Grossman's IQ was only 77 and he had mental problems.
Werner told reporters at the time that he was singling out Crist for criticism because he signed Grossman's death warrant.
Then Werner said, "It's clear the governor did not get the memo that Jewish blood is no longer cheap."
When a reporter asked Werner if he was suggesting Crist was anti-Semitic, Werner replied, "we're not sure."
To read more about Werner and Grossman's execution go here.
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Posted by: Sam | 09/02/2010 at 10:49 PM
So let me get this straight. Crist has a mezuzah on his door but executed a Jew whose conviction was questionable and who was mentally challenged, 26 years after the crime, in the middle of a political campaign? Sounds a lot like Obama having a Passover seder in the White House yet giving Israel the shaft. Maybe Crist should open up that mezuzah and see what’s inside. I don’t expect that but that’s ok: His writing is on the wall anyway.
Posted by: Goldie | 07/26/2010 at 10:35 PM
Seymour...While many argued that Martin Grossman should not be executed few argued that he was actually not-guilty of the crime.
Even Rabbi Katz who spent much time with Grossman and did not want to see him executed acknowledges that Grossman was guilty.
"Martin has shown deep and profound remorse over the years, and is no longer the same wild reckless person he was 26 years ago" said Rabbi Menachem Katz of the Aleph Institute, who has visited Martin regularly over the past 15 years.
And Rabbi Kalman Packouz, while urging people to sign a petition to Gov. Crist to halt the execution, wrote: "There is no question that Martin Grossman committed a grievous and violent act, robbing Margaret Parks of her life and her future as well as robbing her family of their beloved daughter and sister and the future they hoped for her."
Instead of execution, these Rabbis believed Grossman should get a life sentence.
Thank you for your thoughts on this difficult subject.
Gov. Crist may be guilty of being an opportunist about some issues but frankly I do not believe that any governor signs death warrants with an eye toward the next election.
Posted by: Brian | 07/26/2010 at 02:42 PM
Crowley, there was great doubt as to his guilt. It was a he-said, he-said between 2 teenagers, Grossman and Thayne Taylor. Taylor was offered a sweetheart deal to testify against Grossman and got out of prison in 3 years, as has been stated. Taylor’s testimony convicted Grossman because it was corroborated by a 3rd teen, Charles Brewer, who wasn’t there, who testified Grossman admitted his guilt to Brewer. After trial, Brewer admitted he made that up to protect his friend Taylor. Crist knew all this and his job as governor was to evaluate these facts which the jury did not know. Instead he refused and executed Grossman. You state all these horrible facts as to Grossman’s guilt as though they were gospel. There were facts the jury didn’t have that Crist did, such as Brewer’s recanted testimony. And why does he sign a death warrant 26 years later in the midst of a political campaign? This is not about the death penalty. This is about Crist’s political opportunism and willingness to take a life – in this case it happens to be a Jewish life – to win at all costs, and that’s wrong.
Posted by: Seymour | 07/26/2010 at 08:38 AM
In three and a half years as governor, Crist did NOTHING for the Jewish community except go to the Western Wall and get his picture taken in a photo-op, and now, 3 months before the election, he suddenly approves a kosher food program, and you call that being a friend of the Jews?? Did you know that the statement that "Grossman hit Parks more than 20 times" was RECANTED and that in fact there was another person who particpated in the crime who got a sweetheart deal for testifying against Grossman and got out of prison in 3 years??? Crist is a bloodsucker and any Jew who votes for him is making a big mistake.
Posted by: Roni | 07/25/2010 at 11:20 PM
Werner is pathetic and his arguments are baseless. Charlie Crist is no anti semite. his wife is Jewish. He is the first governor mind you who isnt jewish to Hang A Mezuza on his office door post. Some of his best friends are jewish. recently he apporved a kosher food program in the Fl prisons. Werner is majorly mistaken and is spreading palse propaganda. His 527 is a waste of time.
Posted by: james | 07/25/2010 at 10:40 AM