Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Hastings’ insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield Business
  • Michael Frerichs Illinois Treasurer
    Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown Economy
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations Civil Rights
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad News
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families Business
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat Democrat
  • Sunday, October 26, the Village of Orland Park formally rededicated its Village Hall in honor of the late former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens
    Village of Orland Park Rededicates Village Hall in Honor of Late Former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens Government
  • Fire at townhome at 13900 block of Berkhansted Court in Orland Park, just before midnight on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
    Firefighter treated for dehydration battling townhouse fire in Orland Park – no residents injured Fire
  • Firefighters with the Orland Fire Protection District who responded to a fire in an apartment at 15200 block of Al Camino Terrace on Saturday morning said the next day that they did find a kitten that needed respiratory aid that they saved.
    FIRE UPDATE: Fire District releases photos of kitten saved from Orland Park apartment fire Saturday Features
  • two-story apartment building on the 15200 block of El Camino Terrace in Orland Park
    Orland Park apartment fire Saturday morning, no injuries Fire
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown Baby Boomers
  • Illinios Industrial Energy Consumers, information ad
    Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus Bill in Springfield Business
  • State Senator Mike Porfirio secured over $20 million to support infrastructure improvements and construction in the 11th Senate District.
    Senator Porfirio applauds more than $20 million in infrastructure repairs coming to the 11th District News
  • Dad and daughter reunited Lebving Law firm photo
    Little Girl Recovered and Reunited with Dad After Long Separation Dads' Rights
  • 11-03-25 OFPD Coffee living alone
    Orland Fire hosts meeting on helping Seniors who live alone Nov. 5 Baby Boomers
Lethal injection room, San Quentin Prison. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

CBS’ Gayle King should be fired and vicious murderers should be put to death

Posted on December 10, 2020December 10, 2020 By Ray Hanania 2 Comments on CBS’ Gayle King should be fired and vicious murderers should be put to death
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

CBS’ Gayle King should be fired and vicious murderers should be put to death

By Ray Hanania

It’s very upsetting to watch CBS TV’s Gayle King plead for the life of Brandon Bernard who is to be executed today for the 1999 murder of Todd and Stacie Bagley, a married couple in their mid-20s. King never mentioned what Bernard did to deserve the death penalty along with his partner, Christopher Andre Vialva.
Vialva, Bernard and three others tortured the couple for more than seven hours before murdering them in Killeeen, Texas on June 21, 1999. The killers were members of a local street gang in Texas and they sent a 15 year old to stop Bagley’s car and beg for a ride. Once the Bagley’s stopped, four of the others jumped into the car at gunpoint.
They put Todd, a U.S. Veteran, and Stacie in the trunk of the car and drove around for seven hours as the couple pleaded to be released. Instead, the gang members emptied out their bank accounts and stripped the couple of their money and jewelry and clothing.
Lethal injection room, San Quentin Prison. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
Lethal injection room, San Quentin Prison. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
Vialva shot both Todd and Stacie in the face, killing Todd instantly. Stacie was shot int he mouth after watching her husband being killed by Vialva and Bernard. Bernard had helped Vialva put the Bagleys in the trunk. After Vialva shot them, leaving Stacie bleeding and seriously wounded, Bernard poured lighter fluid on the car and victims and set them on fire to destroy the “evidence.” Staci bleeding from her face was burned alive in the trunk of the car. They said she died from “smoke inhalation” as her skin burned.
From the filed court records:
“Vialva, Bernard, Lewis and Brown drove to an isolated spot in the Belton Lake Recreation Area on the Fort Hood military reservation. Vialva parked the Bagleys’ car on top of a little hill. Brown and Bernard poured lighter fluid on the interior of the car while the Bagleys sang and prayed in the trunk.
“According to Brown, Stacie’s last words were “Jesus loves you” and “Jesus, take care of us.” Vialva crudely cussed at her in reply. Vialva put on his mask, and told Lewis to open the trunk. Vialva then shot Todd in the head with the .40 caliber gun, killing him instantly. Vialva shot Stacie in the right side of her face, knocking her unconscious, but not killing her. Bernard set the car on fire. An autopsy later revealed that Stacie died from smoke inhalation.”
Vialva and Bernard were convicted and sentenced to death. Their parents had 21 years to visit and console their sons while the parents of the victims had to live with their grief and the media’s biased, one-sided claims of racism and racial injustice.
Vialva was executed in September, and Todd Bagley’s mother released a statement agonizing over how everyone was concerned about Vialva but not about the vicious and horrific murder of her son and daughter-in-law.Gayle King is a disgrace and so are those who are now pleading for a halt to Bernard’s execution. She didn’t make one mention of Todd or Stacie Bagley, who were treated like dirt, brutalized, tortured, abused and then viciously murdered in cold blood. Two people who dedicated their lives to helping others were preyed upon by teenage gang members.
Instead of focusing on the suffering and the victims, the media and celebrity focus has been and is on race. Bernard and Vialva are African American. The Bagley’s, who were Christian youth ministers from Iowa helping African American youth, were White.
The internet is filled with remembrances of Vialva and stories about Bernard, but you can barely find anything about the victims, Todd and Stacie Bagley, which should be the real focus of this story.
Gayle King should be fired from CBS for her racist bias. I find her disgusting!
These murderers should have been put to death 21 years ago for their crimes when the viciousness of their brutality could not be spun by a racist news media.
Hey Gayle, do your high salaried job. Here’s a link on the Bagleys.

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Hastings’ insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield - October 31, 2025
  • Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown - October 30, 2025
  • Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations - October 30, 2025
NPV: 51
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Blogger, Commentary, Crime, General Topics, National, Opinion, Police, Racism, Veterans Tags:Brandon Bernard, CBS TV, Christopher Andre Vialva, death penalty, death sentence, forgotten victims, Gayle King, Killeen, media bias, murder, race, Racism, Stacie Bagley, street gangs, Texas, Todd Bagley

Post navigation

Previous Post: Ridley play premieres free online at Goodman Theater
Next Post: Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr., sworn-in to the Illinois Supreme Court

Related Posts

  • Jacob Bean, 24. Photo courtesy of the Tinley Park Police Department
    Charges filed after altercation leads to death of New Lenox man Cook County
  • L.O.U.D. (Leaders Opposed to Underage Drinking) is dedicated to creating healthy communities and schools that encourage alcohol free youth by implementing evidence-based strategies to fight the contributing factors of underage drinking.
    Tinley Park educates teens against drinking Education
  • Subject Emad Elayyan, 02/08/1993 - 31 years old, 10600 Block of Major Ave. Chicago Ridge
    Bridgeview police arrest suspect in 2023 and 2024 Jewelry store heists Crime
  • Text missile alert sent to Hawaiian residents
    Stoking the fears of nuclear war Blogger
  • State Rep Fran Hurley 35th district
    Hurley Named Chair of Police and Fire Committee Cook County
  • Wolves hockey game at Allstate Arena. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hockey News: Wolves Rally nearly unseats Cleveland Monsters Chicago

More Related Articles

Illinois Tollway. Courtesy of the Illinois Tollway Authority Illinois Tollway prepared for changing winter conditions General Topics
New police dog already a star in Summit Crime
Christopher Columbus statue Chicago Grant Park. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia American traditions like Thanksgiving should not be broken because of latter day spin Blogger
Dads' Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving. Specializing in Fathers' Rights, Family Law, Child custody, divorce proceedings Repealing parental notification for abortion law deprives girls of fathers’ support   Blogger
Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights Proposed bipartisan Senate bill to keep kids under 13 off social media should be passed Blogger
Whatsa matta, Yu? Commentary

Comments (2) on “CBS’ Gayle King should be fired and vicious murderers should be put to death”

  1. Rachel says:
    December 11, 2020 at 10:12 am

    You don’t deserve the titles you have. This article is extremely biased and it’s obvious where you stand. Brandon’s real charges should’ve been one count of manslaughter, because he thought the woman was already dead, arson, robbery, and kidnapping. If you’d watch any interviews, he had changed himself. He went through extreme rehabilitation and his last words to the family of the victims was “I’m sorry, there’s truly nothing else i can say except I’m sorry and i wish i could take it all back.” He was young, and it’s not an excuse, but at that age teenagers brains aren’t fully developed. He has changed for the better, so demonizing him after his death does no good except spread harmful, biased propaganda as weaponization to push the narrative that you obviously have about young black men in gangs. Maybe help to uplift these boys instead of leaving them to rot in the poverty stricken neighborhoods they reside in. You don’t have any human decency.

    Log in to Reply
    1. Ray Hanania says:
      December 11, 2020 at 11:08 am

      So the fact that he was a part of the murder and then covered the victim with lighter fluid and set her on fire doesn’t make him a murderer … he’s a vicious criminal who had 21 years to lie and make himself look better to elicit sympathy … he was a terrible person and I blame his parents for not doing enough to save him … but they were there to appeal for him, right?

      Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch
    October 17, 2025
  • Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show small
    The Politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize — and Trump’s Fury Over Losing Again
    October 11, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Hastings’ insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield
    October 31, 2025
  • Michael Frerichs Illinois Treasurer
    Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown
    October 30, 2025
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations
    October 30, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad
    October 30, 2025
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families
    October 29, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme