Dallas airport homophobe fined, facing no jail time
By Sam Rigby
The man who launched an anti-gay attack on a fellow traveller at Dallas airport is facing no jail time.
Bystanders were forced to tackle the man – thought to be named McCleish Christmas Benham – to the ground when he began kicking and punching a passenger he described as a “faggot” – read more here.
According to Lone Star Q, Benham is currently charged with public intoxication and common assault, and will be fined $1000 (£620) rather than going to jail.
However, it is possible that prosecutors could upgrade the charge to a hate crime, which would come with 180 days in jail and a larger financial penalty.
A video of the attack has been viewed nearly 4 million times since it was uploaded last Thursday (October 23).
Onlooker Neal Kennedy said of the incident: “We saw a very troubled man. We hope that he was under the influence of some kind of substance – because if he wasn’t and that’s his true personality then he’s going to have a very long road in front of him.”