Post by Scumhunter on Mar 6, 2016 9:43:26 GMT -5
(Above photo credit: FBI.Gov)
Fugitive Profile as of March 6th, 2016: (Based on FBI.Gov wanted poster)
Alias: Brian Joseph DeVirgilio
Date(s) of Birth Used: February 26, 1978
Place of Birth: Ukraine
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 210 pounds
Hair: Brown (May be Shaved)
Eyes: Gray
Sex: Male
Race: White
Nationality: Ukrainian
Remarks: Vusik is a legal resident alien of the United States. He may have traveled to Moscow, Russia, or the Ukraine.
TIPS: If you have any information concerning this person, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.
From the FBI's website:
"Andrey Vusik is wanted for his alleged participation in the involuntary manslaughter of a man in a Sacramento, California, area park. On July 1, 2007, Vusik and several other individuals were at the park when a verbal confrontation ensued between them and a group of other males. It is alleged that Vusik and his group made derogatory comments about the sexual orientation of one of the men in the other group and, in return, the other group of males made insulting comments about Vusik and his group's heritage. The altercation escalated and a fist fight erupted. Vusik allegedly struck the victim, who fell and hit his head. The victim was in a coma for a few days before dying.
On July 27, 2007, the Sacramento Superior Court for the County of Sacramento, California, issued a warrant for Vusik's arrest and he was charged with involuntary manslaughter. After it was discovered that Vusik had fled the country, a federal arrest warrant was issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Sacramento, California, on August 16, 2007, and Vusik was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution."
Thoughts? This seems to be a controversial case with conflicting reports on all sides. Some sides say Vusik and his co-defendant's assault was unprovoked, but witnesses say both groups were insulting each other.
Vuisk and his co-defendant are from the Sacrmaneto area's Slavic immigrant community which (according to community leaders) has become identified with militantly anti-gay Christian fundamentalism, although it is not yet known whether they themselves are affiliated with a church or organization that has been involved in intimidating demonstrations against gays and lesbians. It's also not know if Vusik or his co-defendant were involved with any hate groups.
Also, the name of his co-defendant is Alexsandr Shevchenko, who was found not guilty of felony charges and only misdemeanors. (Disturbing the peace and simple assault for throwing a bottle)
As for whereabouts, Vusik likely fled to the Soviet Union, so it likely depends on where he fled to where he can be extradited. (Russia or the Ukraine, for example, probably not so good).
As far as my opinion, I'm not sure what to think. As much as I hate any type of racism or homophobia, this does sound like a situation that got out of hand on both sides in some way. It wasn't cool to insult sexual orientations, but it also wasn't cool to insult someone's heritage either if that happened. I also don't think anyone expects a punch to be able to kill someone and that probably wasn't Vusik's intent. At the same time, I'm not making any excuses for Vusik. In that situation, he had the opportunity to walk away and not let his anger get the best of him. (This is a situation where everyone should have just walked away.) Also, it does seem like the homophobic comments came before the heritage insult comments and it was Vusik's group that started the melee in the first place. His wife claims it was self-defense, but if it was then Vusik should come back here and defend himself. I don't know what the appropriate punishment would be if he's ever back in the U.S. and tried/convicted but all actions should have consequences.
www.fbi.gov/wanted/additional/andrey-vusik/view
www.jewsonfirst.org/07c/sacto_murder_update.html
articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/19/local/me-briefs19.S4
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