Illinois man who threatened to kill people over rainbow display charged with hate crime
Charles Patton allegedly threatened to slit the throats of the people
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
A man who threatened to kill people who displayed rainbow colours has been charged with a hate crime.
Charles Patton, from Illinois, became outraged after seeing portions of a home painted in rainbow colours to show support for one resident’s daughter who is a lesbian.
The 33-year-old – who was identified through CCTV – was shown punching porch spindles as well as kicking two doors and going inside, reported KSDK-TV.
He allegedly screamed homophobic slurs and threatened to slit the throats of the residents.
Police said he caused around $750 in damages to the home and was charged with first-degree property damage with motivation by discrimination, one count of trespassing with motivation by discrimination and burglary.