2 Men Accused Of Assaulting Sikh Man Charged With Hate Crime
RICHMOND (CBS/AP) — Two men suspected of using a pocket knife to brutally assault a Sikh man in Richmond last month were charged with a hate crime Friday morning, according to the Sikh Coalition.
Prosecutors filed hate crime charges against Chase Little, 31, and Colton Leblanc, 24, officials said Friday. A man who was previously arrested, Dustin Albarado, 25, will not be charged, said Deputy District Attorney Simon O'Connell.
They have been charged with felony assault and hate crimes. A bench warrant has been issued for Leblanc. Little is free on bail, but it was not immediately known if he has an attorney.
Authorities said the men seriously injured Maan Singh Khalsa when they forcefully removed his turban and cut off a fistful of his hair. Khalsa's religion mandates that he not cut his hair.