Have any of the hundreds of black on white attacks been prosecuted this way?
If not, I think he has a strong defense against the federal charge based on equal protection under the law. The federal hate-crime should be dismissed.
However, like others have said, he deserves to be punished for criminal assault. Considering the nature of the attack, I would think aggravated should apply as well.
But let’s have some equal enforcement.
It certainly appears to be a violation of the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment.
Of course, the Constituion has never stood in their way before.
A key fact is going unreported by the CSMonitor.
The white offender was previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder (”mania” only in his case).
He was taking lithium prior to the attack, and is still taking lithium in jail.