I have to say, I am appalled by some of these comments.. It seems as if people are losing sight of what this is really about. I mean you people are focusing on the wrong things entirely. The fact is she was brutally assaulted. It shouldn't matter WHY it happend, just that it did happen. And no human being deserves to get assaulted way she did. NO ONE, male or female, gay or straight, black or white- doesn't matter, No one should ever have to go through what she did, PERIOD. There is absolutely no excuse no justification for what she had to experience, not to mention what she will continue to go through because of this incident. So, I don't understand the controversy of WHY this happened..So what if it was a hate crime? That still will not make a difference in the case, simply because of the laws that Alabama already had in place which exclude homosexuals from even being considered as cause for any hate crimes. Even if it wasn't a hate crime, or even if drugs were involved, so what? That still doesn't justify what Hawkins did to Mallory. So instead of worrying so much about why he did it, rather the focus should be turned to what he actually did. More importantly, what he would have done, and easily could have done had he not been pulled off of her. When you hit someone that hard with only your fist, you are trying to do more than just get your point across. It sickens me to know this is being compared to fights that happen all the time, because I can assure you, victims of these everyday fights don't end up unconscious in the hospital with a broken nose, needing metal plates in their face, with skull fractures and brain bleeds. He tried to kill her, and almost did. Period. Or what about his threats after the attack to "finish what he started"?? that alone should constitute upgrading his charge to attempted murder. Since he didn't succeed at his first attempt, he's threatening to do it again, and "finish her off"? He should get nothing less than attempted murder.

Nope - victim is a woman. And no one deserves a beat down like that, male or female. Flannel shirt and short hair doesn't change that. Also - The hawkins family has a PROVEN history of violence. Father on drug and weapon charges. Shot son. Beat up family. History of being manipulative. Supposed to stay away from them. Ally's story is completely unproven. And actually fits into a pattern of abused family members making up stories to protect others in the family. That the father had the daughter drive Mallory to his house right after being released from the hospital with press waiting sounds a tad manipulative no? Or is all that you can see is short hair and a flannel shirt?

Indeed Southern women do rock but the victim is a man by theory and if the victim dresses, acts, and considers themself a man then it's mano a mano! These entire story is complicated and somewhat based in gross behavior by the participants. I read the article where the suspects sister admitted to being involved in drugs and prostitution with the victim and this confession changed my views about the incident. If what she said was true then the victim has no sympathy from me whatsoever. Here is a thought, stay away from drugs and immoral behavior and life basically takes care of itself. No drama, no laws broken,and no beatdowns that become oversensationalized by the media.

Yeahhhh...no southern gentlemen in this forum. If you have to say you are - you're not. Southern women rock. Freaking cornerstone of the nation. And there are plenty of women in these articles, its not our fault you can't see them. Interesting how you crap over ALL of them. Have fun cuddling up to your hate at night, shame no one else will. :D

Well - it looks like the father got his daughter Ally to bring mallory - concussed and under pain medication to their house for an ambush media presentation about what an outstanding family they are after they let a guest under their roof get her face caved in by the psychopathic son whom their drug addled father had shot last year. Oh - and wasn't he in trouble for beating up his wife? Wonder what he did to his daughter - she's sure chirping his tune. No one - NO ONE can defend the actions of beating a helpless woman near to death. What's happened to the southern gentleman and chivalry? Dead from the likes of the idiots posting here. Hey idiots - mallory is more man than you will ever be and more woman than you will ever have.

You obviously only read what you wanted to read. The victim herself is saying he did it out of hate of his sister being w a woman in general, she is not classifying it as a hate crime nor is the DA. Your clear homophobic rant says wonders to the ignorance and bigotry based in fear of the other. The law is pursuing it as an assault on general. So your point was what?