undeRliRcs Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 (edited) Florida home of gay couple burned A mobile home belonging to a gay couple in Lakeland, Fla., was torched and an offensive epithet spray-painted on the front steps, authorities said. Paul Day, 25, and Christopher Robertson, 23, returned home from errands Monday to find their house in Kings Manor Mobile Home Park burned and the words "Die Fag" spray-painted on the front steps. The case is being investigated as an arson with burglary, Lakeland Fire Department spokeswoman Cheryl Edwards said. But officials remain tight-lipped about whether it was being investigated as a hate crime, which would allow for enhanced criminal penalties. The law defines such a crime as one in which the victim is intentionally picked based on race, color, religion, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, advanced age, or mental or physical disabilities. Edwards said Friday that the fire department wasn't releasing any information about the incident. Day said someone apparently poured a flammable substance all over the carpet and torched it, causing an estimated $15,000 in damages. The home, which just had three months' worth of renovations completed, is in ruins, Day said. When Day moved to the mobile-home park a couple of years ago, he said, a group of teens and young adults sometimes taunted him as he checked his mail. "I tried to not associate with people here," said Day, who works at an auto parts store in Auburndale. "We've just tried to stay to ourselves." (AP) Source: http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid19259.asp More detailed article: http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/na...lnews-headlines There are some real bigots, and then there are these a-holes. Edited August 1, 2005 by liferay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamz Veteran Posted August 1, 2005 Veteran Share Posted August 1, 2005 one would think "die fag" qualifies it as a hate crime. in any case, this is horrible. i don't understand how people can be so cruel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LispyGlitter2 Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 it's unfortunate that the police seem to think this is everything but a hate crime. This happens in Seattle too, one of the largest Gay populations in the nation. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincent Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 it's unfortunate that the police seem to think this is everything but a hate crime. This happens in Seattle too, one of the largest Gay populations in the nation. :( 586308219[/snapback] I live near Capitol Hill (Belltown - 4th and Vine) and i don't see any hate crimes here. Thi is sad though, wow just another example how petty it is to let someone else's choice on sexuality get to them, pure brain damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2687 Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 People these days... :no: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitman2000 Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 Some people are filled with a lot of hate. I dont like gays but i would never do anything like this, what people do behind closed doors is their own matters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maplecookie Veteran Posted August 2, 2005 Veteran Share Posted August 2, 2005 Hopefully this gets listed as a hate crime. How horrible! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 Monday to find their house in Kings Manor Mobile Home Park burned and the words "Die Fag" spray-painted on the front steps. thats pretty sad. regardless of their sexulality, crimes of hate sicken me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SergeantNoob Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 "Die Fag"But officials remain tight-lipped about whether it was being investigated as a hate crime The law defines such a crime as one in which the victim is intentionally picked based on race, color, religion, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, advanced age, or mental or physical disabilities 586307772[/snapback] Nice to know Florida Police can't think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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