Search for attackers
of gay man
From the Web,
February 16, 2011
TAMARAC, Fla., Feb. 16 (UPI)
-- Florida authorities are asking the public to help them locate three suspects
in the Dec. 30 beating of a 24-year-old gay man in Tamarac.
The Broward County Sheriff's Department has released a surveillance video
showing one of the attack suspects leaving a drugstore shortly before the
incident occurred, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Wednesday.
The beating victim, Mark Samnath, said three men filmed themselves punching him
in the face after they called him "faggot" and "gay boy."
Samnath, who is openly gay, is convinced his sexual orientation motivated the
attack that left him emotionally scarred, the newspaper reported.
Under Florida law classifying the attack as a hate crime elevates it from a
third-degree felony to a second-degree felony battery, the sheriff's office
said.
Conviction carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Anyone with information about the attack should contact the Broward County
Sheriff's Office.
© 2011 UPI All Rights Reserved.
|
