San Diego Crime Mars LGBT Parade as Gay Pride Director Assaulted and Beaten
The San Diego Union-Tribune has reported that Ron deHarte, the Executive Director of San Diego’s LGBT Pride Festival, suffered minor injuries after being attacked in Lemon Grove, while marching in a Gay Pride Parade.
According to deHarte and others, the event occurred as the victim was marching in the Equality Torch Relay – a commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. All told, more than 2,000 gay activists participated in the march throughout San Diego.
DeHarte allegedly had been standing peaceably by a statue in Lemon Grove waving a rainbow colored flag when a visibly angry man approached him and demanded that deHarte and his fellow marchers leave Lemon Grove promptly. The unidentified assailant then tried to wrestle the flag away from deHarte. When deHarte resisted, the man punched him in the face and slapped him around. The entire attack lasted only about a minute and half to unfold. A local TV cameraman taped the final few seconds of the confrontation and later broadcast the footage on San Diego news stations.
Despite suffering a sore jaw, a swollen lip, and some bruising, deHarte was not seriously hurt. The suspect was later caught and arrested by police. It is unclear whether the San Diego District Attorney will press for hate crimes charges in addition to assault and battery charges. The Union Tribune reported that the assailant does have a minor criminal history, including outstanding warrants for illegal weapons possession and a restraining order violation.
Sometimes, for whatever reasons, our emotions get the best of us, and we take our aggressions out on innocent people. If you or a loved one has been arrested for assault, battery or other physical crimes, you may benefit tremendously from getting good legal counsel. The law offices of San Diego attorney Steven Brodsky may be able to help you. Connect with us here at CriminalAttorneySanDiego.com to schedule your free consultation.
