Posted on 05/02/2007 6:22:33 AM PDT by Uncle Miltie
Police said Tuesday a Minnesota State University Moorhead student’s claim that he was the victim of a hate crime was a sham.
Deputy Police Chief Bob Larson said Paul Marquardt, 23, had recanted major parts of a story he first told police Friday and as a result, “It is no longer believed that a bias-motivated crime took place.”
A local gay rights group that organized a march and rally in the wake of Marquardt’s claims said late Tuesday it had canceled its plans.
Marquardt told police Friday he suffered a mild concussion, bruised ribs and a separated shoulder after he was confronted by a group of individuals shouting derogatory remarks about his sexual orientation outside the MSUM library Thursday night.
Inconsistencies between what Marquardt told police and what he told the media led investigators to question him again Tuesday, Larson said.
Marquardt told investigators that he was not confronted, nor did he hear any anti-gay comments, Larson said.
Larson said Marquardt maintains he was pushed down and injured by persons unknown.
“He told us that the story had gotten away from him,” Larson said.
“The important thing to us is that if there is a bias-motivated crime, we need to hear about it and we’ll investigate,” Larson said, adding that police are still looking into Marquardt’s claim that he was assaulted.
After learning of Tuesday’s development, organizers of a rally and march planned for Thursday night on the MSUM campus called off the event, said James Sink, a North Dakota State University student and a spokesman for the 10 Percent Society, a group that supports gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender rights.
“The thing that we’re most concerned about is preserving the legitimacy of the organization and making people, and students of course, feel that it’s appropriate to go to the police if you feel you’ve been a victim of a crime,” Sink said.
Sink said that the primary reaction of the group members to Tuesday’s news was one of confusion.
“It’s too soon to really gauge the reaction of the community or the organization,” he said.
“Bias-motivated crimes do occur in our area. Even if it didn’t happen in this case, they’ve happened in the past,” Sink said.
“To claim something is a bias-motivated crime when it’s not is extremely serious. It’s unfortunate it had to happen in this case,” Sink said.
Sink said he spoke to Marquardt on Tuesday and Marquardt asked him to refrain from any further release of his contact information.
“I don’t think he (Marquardt) will be speaking to anyone,” Sink said.
Messages left on Marquardt’s cell phone were not returned.
So what are the authorities going to do about it? Now that it’s not a hate crime, are they just going to let it slide?
Seems to me that any attack deserves some investigative resources."
Guess you didn't read the article:
"...adding that police are still looking into Marquardt’s claim that he was assaulted."
Well, that's a first. (/sarcasm)
No. I don't need to ask. It's not. Never mind!
At a large company I worked for, they mandated that we all take “sensitivity” training. I told them there was no way in hell they were going to get me to listen to that pap. I didn’t and they let it blow over. If more people would stand up to PC claptrap and the hate speech nazis this country will be far better for it.
So I can say rump ranger after all?
LOL. I remember the movement some time ago to get away from saying “black”. I refuse to ever utter the term african american.
I say "gentleman of color," myself, with an exaggerated enunciation that (I hope) abundantly declares my contempt for political correctness.
Not “bro”?
"I am...what's the vernacular again? Oh, yes...'down with that.'"
“The whole notion of “hate crimes” is stalinist BS.”
Just another stepping stones toward the establishment of the Thought Police.
Just don’t atart in on the ebonics, like Hillary.
atart = start
Thereby meeting the Dan Rather standard of fact finding..."Fake but accurate."
...and you KNOW what I'm talkin' 'bout...
...and you KNOW what I'm talkin' 'bout...
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