Hate crime charges for boy in Oakland bus attack

[Amelia Pond]

Hate crime charges for boy in Oakland bus attack
Henry K. Lee, November 7, 2013

Prosecutors filed hate crime charges against a 16-year-old boy Thursday, saying he set aflame the skirt of a teenage gender-identity activist while the victim was asleep on a bus in Oakland, then admitted to police that he had started the fire because he was "homophobic."

Richard Thomas of Oakland was charged as an adult with aggravated mayhem, assault and hate-crime enhancements in connection with Monday's attack on Luke Fleischman, 18, whose legs were severely burned.

After Thomas made a brief afternoon appearance in an Oakland courtroom, where he did not enter a plea, his mother apologized and expressed sympathy for Fleischman. She said her son regretted his actions and wanted to write an apology letter to Fleischman.

"My son is not a hateful person," said Thomas' mother, who would identify herself only as Ms. Jackson. "He's not homophobic. He's a kid. Kids joke around. I think he will learn his lesson. He's very remorseful. I'm sorry for it."

[LordKAT]

Somehow lighting someones clothing on fire does not equate to joking around. Who does Ms. Jackson think she is fooling?

[Amelia Pond]

Somehow lighting someones clothing on fire does not equate to joking around. Who does Ms. Jackson think she is fooling?

The jury and prosecutor? 

Amy

[Missy~rmdlm]

Maybe I'm just confused, but being "kids" was no excuse for the brutal attack I lived through back in school. The scars are very real and on more than just on my skin.
I'm a harsher person for it, and not too inclined to forgive actual injury. Hate crime is about right.

[LordKAT]

Saying her son isn't homophobic when he admits he is only highlights her ignorance of her son's point of view.

I would hope no judge or jury fall for such thoughts.

[Amelia Pond]

I agree with both of you. I don't think the judge, prosecutor or jury would be fooled by such a showing of such bigotry but I think that's who she's trying to fool.

Amy

[Beth Andrea]

I don't think she's "trying" to fool anyone but herself...moms do that, you know. *Her* child simply cannot BE a monster...not her innocent lit'l dumpling, who she changed diapers for, who she fed and took care of his boo-boos...he, otoh, knows how to "play" his mom, how and what to say to gain sympathy...because he sure as heck isn't getting sympathy from the guards or other prisoners...

As a parent who had a child in the courts (by his own actions), it is heartbreaking to see YOUR child facing years in prison...

This is not to say he deserves any sympathy, because he doesn't...but the mom needs to be seen for what she is...a mom.

[Chaos]

I don't think she's "trying" to fool anyone but herself...moms do that, you know. *Her* child simply cannot BE a monster...not her innocent lit'l dumpling, who she changed diapers for, who she fed and took care of his boo-boos...he, otoh, knows how to "play" his mom, how and what to say to gain sympathy...because he sure as heck isn't getting sympathy from the guards or other prisoners...

As a parent who had a child in the courts (by his own actions), it is heartbreaking to see YOUR child facing years in prison...

This is not to say he deserves any sympathy, because he doesn't...but the mom needs to be seen for what she is...a mom.

Very true.Mothers always keep hope that their children are better people,always trying to raise them to be even better then their parents.Ignorance in the loving form.His actions however are far from it and was purely done out of malice.I feel this will go one of two ways.Most likely he will seek *help* for being *homophobic* and be let off with it.As long as he recieves said help.Or they will see his exact actions and punish him for them and personally,i feel he should be punished in order to not only teach him but to set an example.That its NOT okay to commit such crimes because of your ignorance/stupidity.

[VeronicaLynn]

http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Teen-whose-skirt-was-set-ablaze-begins-surgery-4961732.php

This really bothers me, if the SF Bay area isn't safe, no where really is...

[V M]

Setting another person afire in their sleep sounds like criminal activity to me regardless of any other implications involved, and yes, I agree it should be taken to trial as a hate crime

[Constance]

This really bothers me, if the SF Bay area isn't safe, no where really is...

I live out here, in San Mateo on the shores of the SF Bay. No, the SF Bay Area is not some queer and trans paradise. Even SF itself isn't. Even in SF I know where I can use a women's restroom in reasonable safety and where I shouldn't. The Ferry Building? No. Embarcadero Center? Yes.

Down here on the Peninsula, I just keep alert, but in some ways it's safer than in SF. For a short time I tried volunteering with the Castro Community on Patrol (it became too triggering for me) and they told us of what can only be described as hate tourism: people who come to the Castro because they know there's a high concentration of LGBTQ folks whom they might attack.

Unfortunately, that's the reality of queer and trans life out here.

[VeronicaLynn]

Unfortunately, that's the reality of queer and trans life out here.

I was somewhat considering moving out there because I thought it would be better. Was somewhat hesitant because of the ridiculously high cost of living, but if it's not more tolerant in this way, in some ways it seems less tolerant in that there are actively people against us, and not extremely discouraged...why would someone like me move there?

[Constance]

I was somewhat considering moving out there because I thought it would be better. Was somewhat hesitant because of the ridiculously high cost of living, but if it's not more tolerant in this way, in some ways it seems less tolerant in that there are actively people against us, and not extremely discouraged...why would someone like me move there?

I'd rather live in this part of CA than up where my parents live (Auburn, somewhat north of Sacramento). When I get double-takes here, it's almost as if people are asking themselves, "Is that a man or a woman." In my parent's area, I try to not go anywhere alone even in broad daylight. The looks I get there are, "There's a ->-bleeped-<- I want to kill."

With the exception of the trespassers, the Castro is quite wonderful. But, it's very expensive. My biggest complaint with San Mateo is that there isn't much in the way of queer and trans stuff down here on the Peninsula. And, it's still somewhat expensive.

I'm not about to move away from this area any time soon. Yes, there are risks so I just try to be aware of my surroundings.