Maybe I’d have more compassion if Mr. Smith were a pimply-faced kid and not a fully grown adult probably physically male person?!
His real crime was that he believed that his intolerance was superior to the beliefs of others. IOW he occupied the moral high ground therefore he was entitled to do anything he wanted. His actions benefited others who were less willing to take action.
He was the guy in the 50’s on the bus saying “This bus doesn’t move until that black man sits further in the back”.