Statutes determine degree of offense, in part, by motivations that include victim’s ancestry. “‘Because of’ in hate crime statutes means that ‘but for’ the victim’s race or other enumerated characteristics, the defendant would not have committed the crime.” The prosecution’s evidence of race-based motivation included the multiple use of racial slurs and was sufficient to convince a reasonable juror beyond reasonable doubt.
State of Missouri, Respondent, vs. James C. Street, Appellant.
(Overview Summary)
Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District – ED109099
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