IndyStar.com
November 7, 2009
Indiana's latest cross-burning case illustrates challenge facing state and feds
By Jon Murrayjon.murray@indystar.com
Cross burnings may seem like a relic from a dark chapter in American history, but an incident in Indiana resulted this week in prison sentences of a year or more for three Muncie men.
At least two other Indiana cross-burning cases, in Muncie and Mishawaka, have been prosecuted in the past two years. All three were motivated by racism, federal prosecutors say.
During a Friday visit to Indianapolis, the top civil rights lawyer for the U.S. government pointed to those cases and increases in reported hate crimes as reason for vigilance. Thomas E. Perez, confirmed by the U.S. Senate last month as assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, cited a recent expansion of the federal hate-crimes law as an important tool.
"Recent history here in Indiana and across the nation reminds us that we continue to have people who, frankly, have issues with the diversity of our country and with the inclusion that is our nation's strength," Perez said during a news conference with other federal officials, including acting U.S. Attorney Tim Morrison.
The case that ended this week was spurred by a cross set afire in a yard in July 2008 as a black family slept inside their home in a Muncie neighborhood. Sentenced Thursday were Richard LaShure, 41; his son, Richard Logue, 20; and Aaron Latham, 20.
Full Story: http://www.indystar.com/article/20091107/NEWS02/911070358/Authorities+cooperate+to+battle+crimes+of+hate
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