TheTandD.com | Drive-thru brouhaha ends in stabbing

Drive-thru brouhaha ends in stabbing

By RICHARD WALKER, T&D Staff Writer Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Police arrested an Orangeburg woman Friday, alleging she stabbed another woman in the eye with an ink pen during a dispute at a drive-through window.

Lakesha Lavonya Meeks, 26, of 153 Tyler Road was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

The altercation happened around 7:30 p.m. Friday at a John C. Calhoun Drive fast-food restaurant drive-through.

A Leesville woman told police that she was in her car waiting on her order at Central Park when a woman in a vehicle behind her began yelling racial slurs, cursing at her and blowing her car horn. The Leesville woman said the other woman then got out of her car and began yelling obscenities at her, according to an Orangeburg Department of Public Safety incident report.

The Leesville woman said she leaned out of her car and asked the other woman to calm down and refrain from using foul language because she had small children in her car.

She said the other woman then closed her fist around an ink pen and punched her in the face, stabbing her in the corner of her eye with the pen at the same time. The other woman then sped away in a light-colored Honda, she said.

Police arrived to find the Leesville woman holding ice to her eye. The officers noted she was bleeding from the corner of her eye closest to her nose.

The woman gave a description of the subject’s vehicle, which was immediately given out to other officers.

Officers on Russell Street spotted a vehicle matching the description at the Dairy-O. Police stopped the vehicle and detained the woman.

A small child in the car asked why his mother was being arrested. An officer responded to the child by saying his mother had hit someone.

"He said, ‘No, she stabbed them with a pen,’" the incident report said.

The officer asked where that pen was and the child said it was in her purse. Officers retrieved a pen from the woman’s purse and asked the child if that was the pen he saw. The child confirmed it was.

Emergency Medical Services personnel treated the Leesville woman at the scene but she didn’t want to be taken to the hospital.

Assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5516.

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42 comment(s)

The following comments are reader submitted. They do not represent the views of The T&D or Lee Enterprises.

missjoy6282 wrote on Jun 10, 2008 5:29 PM:

" Preach on, Ms. Jones! See...great minds think alike! LOL! "

tas wrote on Jun 10, 2008 3:40 PM:

" I've never read so much sickness and immaturity in my life. Most of what have been written here has little or nothing to do with the issue. Let the system work folks and stop trying to influence local officials via the T&D. The racial divide here in Orangeburg existed long before this incident and its people like you guys that keep the divide going strong. "

Concerned parent wrote on Jun 10, 2008 1:58 PM:

" I was born and raised in Orangeburg. I am also white but I respect people from all races and culture. This was the way my parents raised me. There is good in all races and not all people from Orangeburg are racists and ignorant. Some of my best friends and previous co-workers were of another race and they are some of the best people I have ever met and have in my life. I have a teenage son whom I also teach to respect others regardless of their race. His closest friends and his role models are also of different races. I try to educate and show example to my son but not by hate or being closed minded. "

uscwhiskeygirl wrote on Jun 9, 2008 11:29 PM:

" What does the noose incident have to do with anything? Seriously, that was such a left field comment. You see, off topic comments like that are what starts arguments that never end well. Feeslash, pretend those degrees taught you some sense and dont try to instigate arguments with people. You will get much further in life. People might actually think of you as a pleasant person, but it's a stretch. Or at least be a little more subtle about it... "

msjones wrote on Jun 9, 2008 4:37 PM:

" Feeslash, you are the ignorant one and I really don’t care what you feel about the opinions posted on this board. Lots of people have been killed with the noose. At one point in time it was an excepted means of execution around the world; with all your degrees and higher education you should know that! The conspirators involved in the Lincoln assignation were hung, more recently, Saddam Hussein. Where these acts of racism, killing whites and Iraqi Dictators? Grow up and use some of this immense book learning that you profess to have; what a joke. Maybe you are confused about what a hate crime is. Granted that this probably would not rise to the standard as the legislation states the victim has to be selected based on race, sexual orientation, or other discriminatory statistics, however, who are you to say? The very fact that racial slurs were used could easily be a determinant of a hate crime. The fact that racial slurs were used gives the connotation that the attack might have been racially motivated which makes it a hate crime. Look up the legislation and until you understand the facts and the postings, it is you that should most likely refrain from putting your opinions on this board. My father was in the USMC, we traveled the world when I was younger, mostly in the Asian-Pacific area. He was a proud black man and served his Country with honor. He taught me to respect others as well as myself. I am sorry if I don’t fall into the cycle of stupidity that you wish to propagate, maybe that is what you were taught as a child. I believe that we are all created equal and afforded the same opportunities from birth. I will not fall into the pit of hatred for white people based on the fact that my relatives were slaves over 140 years ago. Let’s not forget that it was our own ancestors who sold our relatives into slavery in the first place. I also will not continue to come on this board and try to lead you misguided soles. At some point in time you have to begin to think for yourself and quit buying the foolishness that ignorant people are selling. Once again educate yourselves and teach your children correctly or else this Country is doomed. "

elcid87 wrote on Jun 9, 2008 3:52 PM:

" An idiot is an idiot, black or white. Some things are obvious and need not be said. Others are not so obvious, but clear if you take time to think about it. Of each race, gender and any other way we can determine to divide ourselves, there are some wonderful folks on each side since we insist on having sides. I know many folks here who are very loving and caring. It is apparent that our creator is in their hearts and minds. On the other hand, there are folks who have made a conscious decision to take sides and feed on argument and strife. Possibly folks that sit around and spring to life with keyboard thumping each time they see a glint of opportunity to shout out at the other group and point out why "I am the one who is correct, so you are obviously wrong.", have nothing better to do. Even more concerning is the possibility that there is so much hate in their hearts and minds. I choose not to take sides and alledge hate or blame. A sad situation is sad and it provides no help for folks to argue about details that are in my opinion irrevelant. Regardless, I love you all very much and will also keep the stabber and the stabbee in my prayers. "

feeslash wrote on Jun 8, 2008 10:00 AM:

" I disagree that this is a hate crime. Simply callin someone out of their name before an assault does not mean it's a hate crime. Assault an battery yes but not a hate crime. There is a big difference in calling someone the "N" word or "W"trash before assaulting them and hanging a noose ANYWHERE! A noose has a meaning. I don't need to break that down. If any of you don't know what a noose is or what it was used for, then you don't need to make any comments for the public because you are ignorant.
SECONDLY, YOU VERY IGNORANT PEOPLE WHO THINK ORANGEBURG IS SO NASTY AND DIRTY AND DEGRADE THE CHARACTER OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE DISCUST ME! I DON'T LIVE IN ORANGEBURG ANYMORE BUT I DID BASICALLY MY ENTIRE LIFE. I HAVE FAMILY THERE AND I TAKE THAT PERSONALLY. I ASSURE YOU IF YOU HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH ME MY SENTENCES ARE CORRECT AND THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE I HAVE MORE EDUCATION AND DEGREES THAN THE BOTH OF YOU HAVE TOGETHER! IF YOU THINK RACISM IS NOT EVERYWHERE YOU GO, YOU ARE REALLY CONFUSED. DON'T LET THE WAY YOU TALK OR DRESS MAKE YOU THINK YOU ARE BETTER THAN ANY OTHER AFRICAN AMERICAN. YOU ARE WHAT YOU ARE AND YOU NEED TO EDUCATE YOURSELF AND LOVE YOUR RACE ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHERS. YOUR COMMENTS DISGUST ME! "

notime wrote on Jun 6, 2008 10:53 PM:

" Ms Jones, you have renewed my faith in the black citizens of Orangeburg. If everyone thought like you, this would be a much, much better place to live. I am afraid this town will be involved in a racial war before long - black against white. It doesn't have to be that way. I'm white, but I'm no better or worse than anybody else. Nobody owes me and I don't owe anybody. My family was among the first settlers of Orangeburg. They came here to free themselves from the oppression they faced in Germany. This is not the kind of hatred that this town was created for. Why can't we all just act like "people", not white people or black people? As for Ms. Meeks, she doesn't have a history of mental illness but she does have a history of assaults. The saddest part is that her near-death experience in the wreck where several of her friends were electrocuted didn't change her heart or her conduct. I hope that doesn't represent how deep-seeded the hatred in the hearts of our young people has grown. Oh, and the little child's father was in the paper the same day or the next day being arrested for criminal charges as well. Poor thing doesn't stand a chance. And we wonder why things only get worse around here...This town can't change until WE change. We all need to PRAY for peace in our town! "

msjones wrote on Jun 6, 2008 6:54 PM:

" Utsey, if you are referring to Weber. As I have said, it does go to state of mind. There is ample fact to convince any jury that he feared for his life. That is all there needs to be. Just convince the jury he was afraid if he didn't act, he would have been killed and he goes free. A not guilty verdict would also be helpful if the family tried to file civil charges against Mr. Weber. It may be a little costly for him right now, but I believe it will save him some major hassles in the future. "

msjones wrote on Jun 6, 2008 6:44 PM:

" Now, of course this incident may have happened no matter who was in the car ahead of her, however, the simple fact that she began shouting racial remarks before and during the incident does seem to indicate some racial motive. Of course, people will disagree. She'll get a slap on the wrist and the story will be swept under the rug. Then , if by chance the situation is reversed, there will be an uproar. A great example is the noose at OCTC, someone tell me why the FBI was called, other than the students were white. My brothers and sisters quit race baiting, treat people the same. We have come a long way. Try to improve yourselves an your minds, quit blaming others for your problems. Teach your kids to respect others, their elders, and most importantly themselves. Quit allowing them to make excuses and, for goodness sake, quit giving them excuses to make. "

msjones wrote on Jun 6, 2008 6:29 PM:

" Utsey, to what case do you refer. I posed a question to you. You commented, in another discussion, that being involved in a legal situation and being black would increase the rigor and publicity. Do you still agree? As to the legislation: Current law defines hate crime to include any crime against either person or property, in which the offender intentionally selects the victim because of the
victim’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender,
disability, or sexual orientation. The FBI directs law enforcement agencies to consider whether several factors support a finding of bias.Those factors include the following:
Were the offender and victim of different race, religion, disability,sexual orientation, and/or ethnicity/national origin?
Did the offender make oral comments, written statements, or gestures, which indicated his bias?
Is the victim a member of a racial, religious, disability, sexual orientation or ethnic/national origin group, which is overwhelmingly outnumbered by other residents in the neighborhood where the victim lives and the incident took place?
http://lieberman.senate.gov "

minimouse wrote on Jun 6, 2008 4:21 PM:

" I love Orangeburg! So peaceful and quiet. Especially this time of year! "

EDborn wrote on Jun 6, 2008 12:10 PM:

" MsJones, it’s not a racial issue in the fact that the young woman was not assaulted because of her race. This idea that every altercation involving parties of different races raises to the level of racism and is worthy of hate crimes prosecution only serves to deepen the divide. We need to get away from this way perception if we are ever going to advance. I would suggest that there's an uproar surrounding this story for two reasons. One is due to the randomness of such a violent and seemingly unprovoked act. Again, anyone in front of Ms. Meeks at that drive through could have been stabbed, regardless of race. The second reason is because of people who are on a constant vigil of looking for and labeling stories of this nature as proof of reverse racism. "

mikeutsey wrote on Jun 6, 2008 7:40 AM:

" Ok msjnes, I am awaiting your response on our other case before I start in on this one again. Your opinions just seem to light a fire under me, and of course you know I'm always ready.

Have a nice day! "

mikeutsey wrote on Jun 6, 2008 7:36 AM:

" Is that my Cue?

Time to take a closer look! "

beast wrote on Jun 6, 2008 7:18 AM:

" This story is crazy. I wonder if the accused has a history of mental health issues or drug/substance abuse.

I think that may play a role in any possible trial.

It will be interesting to see how this case is managed. Though her alleged comments were WAY out of line and bluntly racist, not sure if a charge of hate crime would apply here.

Just have to think, did she allegedly stab the woman because she was white or because she was tired of waiting?

Just opening the discussion on the understanding of the law here. Please do not believe for one second that I am defending the accused.

Is there anyone with any legal experience that can clear this one up for us all. I think we all need a better understanding. "

msjones wrote on Jun 5, 2008 8:15 PM:

" EDborn, are you kidding; this wasn't a racial issue! Do what? She screamed racial remarks before the incident. People are looking at the incident. Why? People want fairness. Look, missjoy, I totally agree with what you have said. I'm also a black woman and agree that there is a lot of racial divisiveness in this area. One reason for this is the lack of fairness. These same people who are claiming they are black and wondering what the problem is are the same people that were saying the two boys from OCTC should be punished for hate crimes and questioning their very character. Now, they are on this board asking why there is so much uproar. People need to understand this is 2008, we are about to elect the first black president; not because of any great ideas, but simply because he is black. Say it isn't true. Black people need to take responsibility and quit blaming everything on white people. In this society you have every opportunity to thrive, turn off the rap music, quit demeaning the sisters and respect yourself. No one owes us anything, but we have the ability to achieve on our own. "

missjoy6282 wrote on Jun 5, 2008 5:54 PM:

" I used to live in Orangeburg and I worked on John C. Calhoun. I have nothing good to say about Orangeburg. It's nasty, dirty, trashy, and just a bad place to live, work, go to school, etc! Heck, I experienced racism by black people, too. And I am black! I guess I was too "educated" and I talked in complete sentences. According to some, I was "too white". I will never EVER go back to Orangeburg to live among these types of people! "

uscwhiskeygirl wrote on Jun 5, 2008 1:31 PM:

" Actually it was on WIS last night. Lilnewby, the victim is a white girl. And yes, I agree Orangeburg is a very sickening place to live. There is obvious racial tension. Our problem is we seem to rather complain about these incidents than find ways to resolve the issues... "

EDborn wrote on Jun 5, 2008 12:15 PM:

" Lilnewby is right. Orangeburg suffers from an extreme case of racial division, and cases like this go a long way to expose. Not so much for what Miss Meeks did or said, but more so by the nature of the comments to this story. It seems there are an entire cadre of people just waiting for something like this to happen to point their finger and say, "I told you so." The truth is, the victim in this case didn't get stabbed because she was white. She was stabbed because Miss Meeks is an idiot (allegedly). You know this because after she assaulted this woman, she didn't go home, or try to avoid capture at all. She went to the drive through at Dairy-O, idiot. I'm sorry this had to happen, particularly in front of young children, but it's not a racial issue. "

sweetypie wrote on Jun 5, 2008 10:00 AM:

" To lilnewby,
Yes the woman was white, she has been on the news WISTV. It really does not matter what her color is, to begin with it wasn't her fault she had to sit at the drive-thru so long, if this lunatic was going to stab someone why didn't she go after the people working in this place, the customer has no control over that. This woman needs to be locked up, she is just teaching the child hate and anger. There are a lot of rude people in Orangeburg, I only go to a few businesses there, I would rather drive to Columbia than deal with the rude and disrespectful people in Orangeburg, not all of them but generally the younger ones. It is sad when you pull up to a stop light and your whole car starts vibrating because some youngster thinks everyone wants to hear that racket they call music now, and sitting beside him is a sign that says noise ordinance enforced Children and teenagers today are brought up without discipline and respect for other's and our country has morally gone down so much and these children and teenagers coming up is what we have to look to for our future and it is a very bleak future with what I have seen. America is in a sad state. "

sassylady wrote on Jun 5, 2008 9:25 AM:

" Sorry lilnewby, the victim is white. There is a picture of her on wistv.com. I am from Orangeburg and I am so ashamed of some of the ignorant people that live there. Everytime I come home to visit, I have to shake my head at some of the people there. It truly is an embarassment. "

wsc0207 wrote on Jun 5, 2008 8:29 AM:

" Yes...I agree that Orangeburg has bad qualities especially when it comes to racism. But I also believe that it is not just "Orangeburg" that's like that. And also, it's not EVERYONE in the little town of Orangeburg that's like that. We do have PLENTY of decent people that include in ALL RACES. "

GAN wrote on Jun 4, 2008 4:19 PM:

" lilnewby, unfortunately you are 100% correct. This is a very sad town in that if you're the wrong color you can not go to many parts of town knowing the kind of racial hatred you will endure.

Public school was hell, not even being able to walk by a group of people without being called a name or threatened. Of course "authorities" would either ignore your complaints or make you out to be the racist instead. Unfortunately, it is the same way outside of the school system in this county. Going out of town is like taking a vacation to another world.

I feel especially sorry for Asians, Hispanics and Jews who are the smallest minority and are teased and targeted mercilessly with no one to take up for them. Hopefully you and I can make it out of here alive when our financial situations allow.

As much hatred that goes on in this town, I was honestly surprised to see something like this hit the papers. It's about time that something is done about it, but I have a feeling that it's only wishful thinking that she will be charged with a hate crime. Being the wrong color in a county that hates you is a horrible way to live, and I hope that justice is served to this poor woman.

I wish everyone all the best and to stay safe, be proud, stand up for your rights, and move the heck out of town when you can. To heck with the naysayers. I have a feeling this will be swept under the rug, however. "

lilnewby wrote on Jun 4, 2008 11:02 AM:

" The article doesn't even say the race of the Leesville woman. She might not even be white. Everyone knows there are other races besides White and Black right? Orangeburg, SC is a sad sad town. I never heard of so many racial altercations, seen a town so divided, or met so many unfriendly people before I moved here. "

ATL wrote on Jun 4, 2008 10:32 AM:

" AMEN Bulldogdiva!! I dont see or have heard anybody defending what this lady did!! I am an Afro-American and believe that that lady should be punished to the fullest extent, with hate crime charges included. "

ANNUAL wrote on Jun 4, 2008 8:50 AM:

" ok time for the FBI to get involved, well where are they dont they responsed to hate crimes "

mikeutsey wrote on Jun 4, 2008 1:31 AM:

" I love this stuff!

I hate crime and I hate racism even more!
This is obviously a hate crime. There is no defense this woman could provide for her actions. She should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. She has no sympathy from me. I furthermore think the charge should be upgraded to assault and battery with intent to kill. She should also be charged with child endangerment as well.

It is a far reach for this to be a federal civil rights violation. This person committed this crime, not only because the victim was white, it was more so that she is a dangerous and angry individual. My personal belief is, that it wouldn't matter who was in that car ahead of her, she would have done the same thing. But because of racial slurs, and the victim being white, does make it a hate crime.

I have to remind you that this is being based soley on the article, the outcome is for a jury to decide.

Enuff Said! "

bulldogdiva74 wrote on Jun 3, 2008 5:04 PM:

" FlabberJabber and blopster your ignorance is the reason things are drawn out of porportion today. Do you hear anybody shouting FREE Lakesha Lavonya Meeks? What she did was serious and whether the victim was BLACK or WHITE, she should be punished. Sometimes we ALL need to think before we speak instead of trying to make a mockery out of something. "

beast wrote on Jun 3, 2008 4:32 PM:

" Some folks need not procreate. Did everyone check what the kid said. Is anyone concerned about the kid's safety. If all this is true, this mother may be the type of person to to treat this child as a street snitch.

Though race is an issue with this crime. I must admit that race is not always the issue. Orangeburg has grown a lot, and I think that is what angers me the most about this incident.

There is no more room for this in our community. "

uscwhiskeygirl wrote on Jun 3, 2008 4:08 PM:

" i think deborah1959 means its always black people pulling a race card, but white people are never racially mistreated. or so it seems. i must admit i would never have seen this article or heard anything about the incident if it hadnt had so many comments and someone pointed it out to me. its obvious this altercation will be quietly swept under the rug. "

blopster wrote on Jun 3, 2008 3:49 PM:

" flabberjabber, you have it dead on the money! Actually I expect them to arrive and say that the woman did not move fast enough through the drive through, which resulted in a continued insult to all. I have endured this and never stabbed someone. What has happened to our country????? "

flabberjabber wrote on Jun 3, 2008 3:01 PM:

" I don't know, blopster. The Rev. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are probably on a plane as we speak to coddle the poor victim and berate this other woman for using racial slurs. Wait, maybe I go that backwards. "

msjones wrote on Jun 3, 2008 2:45 PM:

" Utsey, let's put your theory to the test. You claimed that a black person accused of a crime has more negative publicity and faces more public ridicule, correct? This is an obvious hate crime. This BLACK woman, yelled racial slurs and then physically assaulted the other woman; she could have killed her. Let's see how long this remains in the public's vision, versus, let us say the two white teenagers that tied a noose in an OCTC classroom in front of multiple people without making any racial remarks or attempting to intimidate anyone. Deborah1959, I must be misunderstanding your post, why can't a white person claim racism? "

blopster wrote on Jun 3, 2008 2:03 PM:

" I have a feeling that is this the last news we hear on this matter, it is sad how somethings make the news for days and others are brushed away. "

dho3rd wrote on Jun 3, 2008 1:37 PM:

" Deborah1959, what? "

dho3rd wrote on Jun 3, 2008 1:36 PM:

" confisus_sum, seems like there should be, or at least a hate crime. There were racial slurs. "

GAN84 wrote on Jun 3, 2008 1:02 PM:

" This is an obvious hate crime, is it not? "

flabberjabber wrote on Jun 3, 2008 12:26 PM:

" I would love to see that confisus_sum "

Deborah1959 wrote on Jun 3, 2008 11:28 AM:

" You can't yell racism if you are white. "

mysonsdad wrote on Jun 3, 2008 9:44 AM:

" This woman should be prosecuted and her children taken away from her for good. She has no business being around children. Where have we gone wrong in this world. "

confisus_sum wrote on Jun 3, 2008 6:59 AM:

" Will there be federal civil rights charges stemming from this? "

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