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‘Dungeon’ Case Could Become US Hate Crime

WTXF

/

October 19, 2011

The case of the four disabled adults found locked in a Philadelphia basement may become one of the first prosecuted under a 2009 federal hate-crimes law.
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5 Comments

5 Responses to
'‘Dungeon’ Case Could Become US Hate Crime'


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  1. Bill said,

    on October 20th, 2011 at 2:17 pm

    I’d like a clarification or should I say a “lawyer’s definition” of just what can be considered a hate crime.

  2. jokr8790 said,

    on October 20th, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    “A hate crime is usually defined by state law as one that involves threats, harassment, or physical harm and is motivated by prejudice against someone’s race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation or physical or mental disability. Laws vary by state and if hate crimes are provided for by statute, the defintions of hate crimes and penalties imposed vary. States that have hate crime statutes provide harsher penalites for such offenses.” U.S. Legal.Com

    It’s a fairly good general definition. If you go to your specific state statutes, many of which are on line, you’ll be able to see the definition your state uses.

  3. Graham Krueger said,

    on October 20th, 2011 at 3:34 pm

    Clearly this was a heinous act of exploitation and abuse, but was it motivated by hate?

  4. krissy said,

    on October 20th, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    These victims were definitely targeted because of their disabilities. Hate crime charges would be an added disincentive to those who target the most vulnerable in our society.

  5. Charles Kinsey said,

    on October 24th, 2011 at 2:01 am

    This was an awful crime but to lie and say it was a hate crime to add “disincentives” or more charges isn’t right .There is too much lying in America already , we need to get honest again and reclaim a real sense of honor ,,not that phoney meaningless kind we see these days but the real thing .It was greed , it was calouse it was cruelty at it’s finest but it wasn’t a hate crime .

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