Was Martin Eakes Mugging Planned?

Was it planned?

Recently, David Fellerath asked on Triangulator whether the recent mugging of Center For Responsible Lending  President Martin Eakes was planned. He refers to a North Carolina News & Observer column by Barry Saunders which ventures the suggestion that Mr. Eakes was not merely in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Considering his position at the head of organizations (Self-Help, Inc. and the Center For Responsible Lending) that have made their share of enemies, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the mention of Eakes could spark strong feelings. Saunders takes another step by suggesting that those feelings burned hot with violent intent, like an “attack we normally associate with ‘The Sopranos,’” writes Fellerath.

They blocked his escape routes

Based upon crime scene reports, Saunders draws the conclusion that “the four thugs who used (Eakes’) head as a punching bag” coordinated the entire thing, all the way down to where they positioned themselves on the stairs of the parking garage where the beat-down took place. They didn’t want to leave an escape route. “That’s what all street robbers do, right?” said Saunders.

Fellerath points out that “neither Eakes nor Durham police are saying he was targeted because of his work on behalf of poor people and against those lending organizations that prey on the poor. But I am.”

Aspiring for the top of the mountain

Saunders interviewed Eakes, and in that interview, he asked him about his enemies. Here’s Eakes’ reply: ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Was Martin Eakes Mugging Planned?"