RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Relatives of the three Muslim college students killed in North Carolina are pressing for hate crime charges against the alleged shooter, but legal experts say such cases are relatively rare and can be difficult to prove. North Carolina does not have a specific "hate crime" statute, though its laws cover such acts of "ethnic intimidation" as hanging a noose, burning a cross or setting fire to a church. The reason, the former District Attorney for Wake County says, is that the defendants often already faced potential charges with stiffer criminal penalties than the comparatively light punishments carried by an ethnic intimidation conviction. Hicks will likely face either the death penalty or life in prison if convicted of the murder charges, he noted, adding any evidence of motive would be important to prosecutors. Federal hate-crimes laws give prosecutors wide latitude to bring charges for violent acts triggered by race, ethnicity, religion or perceived sexual orientation. [...] experts said it would be highly unusual for federal authorities to step in if state officials have already won murder convictions with lengthy prison time.
Hate Crime Prosecutions Rare In Nc, Often Difficult To Prove
By MICHAEL BIESECKER, Associated Press, San Francisco Chronicle
Sat, 02/14/2015 - 1:58am
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