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Dec 2, 2010
A New Mexico man pleaded not guilty Nov. 22 to federal hate-crime charges in the first case prosecuted by the federal government under a historic 2009 law targeting hate crimes involving disabilities or sexual orientation.
William Hatch, 29, entered his plea during his initial appearance at a federal courthouse in Albuquerque.
Paul Beebe, 26, and Jesse Sanford, 25, also appeared but had no attorneys and didn’t enter pleas.
The three men are accused of shaving a swastika onto the back of the 22-year-old victim’s head and using markers to write “KKK” and “White Power” on the victim.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto Ortega said the case is the first in the nation to be pursued by the Justice Department under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
From WiG and AP reports
