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October 12, 2011 in City
Hate crimes or not, recent attacks are all disgusting
Are we in the midst of a wave of anti-gay violence in Spokane? A pattern with ongoing momentum?
Some people think so.
But there is unquestionably a pattern emerging from several recent events, and it has to do more with the response of the gay community and Spokane at large: an outpouring of concern, outrage, indignation and passion. If there is discouraging news in recent incidents in which gay men were beaten – and there is plenty – there is also a silver lining in the insistence that such crimes not be taken lightly.
“People are standing up and speaking about this,” said Matthew Cannon, board member of the Inland Northwest LGBT Center. “I don’t think this is something that’s going to go away.”
Cannon and a lot of other folks say the police and the media aren’t treating these cases seriously. The most recent incident, and the flashpoint for rising concern, was a fight outside Dempsey’s early last Saturday morning. Police insist it was not a hate crime but a drunken fight; the man who wound up bloodied and stitched-up, as well as several of his friends, insist it was, saying that the man who struck him only did so after asking if he was gay and calling him a faggot.
They see it as a pattern of dismissive attitudes toward gay victims of violence.
“Nothing is ever a hate crime,” Cannon said, describing what he sees as the Spokane Police Department’s attitude. “By all appearances, it’s a hate crime, but let’s find a way to bring it down to something lesser.”
The department’s spokeswoman, Officer Jennifer DeRuwe, noted that officers have to file charges that stand up to the reasonable-doubt standard in court. As a result of the outcry over the most recent incident, a major crimes unit is looking into the case, she said. There is also a meeting scheduled Thursday between city and police officials and members of the gay community.
“We’re very aggressive about investigating these (hate crime allegations) and we really don’t have very many, honestly,” DeRuwe said. “If it rises to the level of the hate crime, we’re not going to look the other way.”
Focusing only on whether these events were – in legal, burden-of-proof terms – hate crimes runs the risk of losing sight of what they undoubtedly were: abhorrent.
It’s abhorrent when someone employs the word faggot as a weapon. It’s extra-abhorrent when they apply it while applying a fist or a real weapon. And it is exactly no less abhorrent if it comes after too many drinks or after some provocation – if it’s just an insult at hand in a hotheaded dispute.
The problem with declaring a pattern or a trend is the suggestion that the events were coordinated and represent some ongoing danger. In the three main recent cases, there is ample reason to consider them separate, deplorable incidents:
• Early last Saturday morning, Danny Hawkins was injured in a fight outside Dempsey’s. Photos of a bloodied and stitched-up Hawkins appeared online; news stories soon followed. Police say they had conflicting witness reports, information that Hawkins had provoked the incident by striking the other guy’s car. Hawkins’ supporters say that even if that were true, the fight took on bias-crime elements as it escalated, with the use of homophobic slurs.
Michael Jepson, who drove Hawkins to the hospital though he did not see the incident, put it like this: “ ‘Are you gay?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Faggot.’ Punch.”
• On Sept. 28, Jepson himself was beaten and assaulted with the same slur outside Irv’s, another Spokane bar. Jepson, 45, was going into the bar around 9 p.m. when a group of street kids tossed something at him, he said. When he responded, one of them hit him and pushed him down. The group then surrounded him, leaving only after he went to take their photo with a camera phone, he said. He said he was initially pleased with the police response, but his interactions with an officer whom he said was dismissive at last weekend’s incident – plus the fact that his attackers weren’t found – makes him wonder if it was taken seriously.
• On Sept. 21, Steve Pfefferle was attacked in another man’s home after they left Dempsey’s together. Pfefferle, a 38-year-old man who’s lived in Spokane for 10 years, says he was choked with a rope and struck repeatedly with a piece of metal until he fled. The man was arrested and charged with assault, but it’s a misdemeanor, and Pfefferle is furious about it. DeRuwe said the evidence did not support a hate-crime charge.
Sorting out claims and counter-claims is difficult in any case. Throw in drinking, incomplete information, competing accounts and unprovable contradictions, it’s often impossible for police to produce what people want: a tidy, pleasing box of justice. In the recent cases, there is enough mud in the water to at least suggest there is more going on than lackadaisical work by the police.
I ran my muddy-water metaphor past Cannon.
“These are not simple assaults,” he said. “Indeed, there is mud in the water, but is the puddle entirely muddy? No. There are rocks sticking up above the water line in each one of them.”
What are the metaphorical rocks?
“Hateful language,” he said.
“Acts guided by hate.”
Shawn Vestal can be reached at (509) 459-5431 or shawnv@spokesman.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vestal13.
The draw of the unknowable 
ChefGus/ John Olsen on October 12 at 5:35 a.m.
I’ve not ever been to Irv’s.. my gay friends tell me it is less raucous and more sedate than Dempsey’s. I’ve been to Dempsey’s a number of times… and perhaps they have a bouncer/security person on site… folks go outside to smoke of course..and are thus open targets for the homophobics that can drive by in their car and shout etc… it sounds childish, but it does happen… and has happened many times to the youth who I know and have known from Odyssey Youth Center when they are just walking down the street… hassled by the police for just “being” treated with the same nasty treatment that non whites are also subjected to….
The behaviour is hateful, but driven by the same forces…internally the persons doing the harassing are “Fear Driven”… which ventilates itself as anger…. combine alcohol with that and there ya go.
A security person or a security camera outside Dempsey’s on a regular basis would help alleviate the “Shonto Pete” attacks. John
Lewis on October 12 at 7:58 a.m.
how would the SPD know what a hate crime is? isnt that what they do hate the citizens they are supposed to serve?
police and city leaders are getting together with gay organization? why so they can tell more lies,if i was gay i would not even talk to the police in fear of being beat to a pulp.
Albert on October 12 at 8:04 a.m.
Shawn…get real. Alcohol and “mis-information” on both sides, including a really stupid move by Mr. H is what caused this “punch”. Stupid is as stupid does = as Forrest Gump’s mom would say.
You really need to get a life and find an article that reflects Hate Crimes…like the daily treatment by the SPD towards the citizens of Spokane.
soccermomsusie on October 12 at 8:23 a.m.
I can’t believe Mary Verner lets these attacks on nonheterosexuals happen on her watch.
“What are you saying, soccermomsusie!!!” I can hear your man’s-logic-tainted, error-filled, liberally-defected minds screaming.
Let me explain.
So many of our best anti-nonheterosexual activists are Conservative, Republican nonheterosexuals. And so I can’t help but think that Mayor Mary Verner Klemperer and the Demoncrats might be behind these attacks.
Look, I believe what the Bible has to say about nonheterosexuals. But in this case, right before an important election, I will have to blame Verner.
Reading Chef Gus’ previous comments, I hope he will join me in supporting DAVID CONDON!!! FUTURE MAYOR!!! SPOKANE!! TEA PARTISAN!!! UNTAINTED BY EXPERIENCE!!!
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
brianrbreen on October 12 at 8:45 a.m.
Shawn,
If this is an accurate quote then someone needs retraining. The standard for the filing of charges or making an arrest is whether or not PROBABLE CAUSE exists to believe a person has committed a crime, not a “reasonable-doubt standard in court”. The jury in a criminal case must decide whether or not the prosecution proved their case beyond a reasonable doubt which is considerably more of a burden then the probable cause standard. Police officers have no business making a charging decision on the basis of whether or not they feel a jury will make a finding beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The department’s spokeswoman, Officer Jennifer DeRuwe, noted that officers have to file charges that stand up to the reasonable-doubt standard in court.”
richie on October 12 at 9:16 a.m.
Now, if I get in a confrontation in the line at Costco, and someone calls me , let’s say, a “Jackwagon” and kicks me in the goonies, is that considered a hate crime? Or is it more “hate like” if I am sipping a caramel latte with my Jackwagon friends at Starbucks, and decide to go beat up “Huskies”, just because they are “Huskies”, does this scenario elevate it to hate crime status?
Rand on October 12 at 9:23 a.m.
My goodness soccermomsusie I can’t believe the Daily Show hasn’t scooped you up as you are an obvious talent. Congrats on being a feature of a previous Vestal article. It seems as if Vestal is as adept at identifying hate crimes as he is at identifying clever people.
What is the purpose of this article other than to try really really hard to create a victim, then try to prove the author cares. The quote below pretty much sums up why this article is as empty as most all of Shawn’s articles.
jddavis on October 12 at 10:12 a.m.
If Mr. Hawkins didn’t want to be a victim of a “hate crime”, then perhaps he shouldn’t have hit the guy’s car. Perhaps he should consume alcohol in a more responsible manner so if God forbid, an actual “hate crime” does happen, he can tell the cops where he lives and his birthdate.
You see Shaun, Mr. Hawkins instigated this event. If he knew his limitations and acted in a reasonable way, he wouldn’t have been in that confrontation.
You can’t be the victim in a fight you started. Mr. Hawkins needs to grow up and take responsibility for his actions.
misjustice on October 12 at 10:38 a.m.
Hate crimes or not, recent attacks are all disgusting; and all involved alcohol.
misjustice on October 12 at 10:45 a.m.
@ Brian, DeRuwe, the great communicator and legal scholar strikes again!
Corrence on October 12 at 10:48 a.m.
Excuse me, but your hate is showing. How easy it is to hide behind a screen name.
Do none of you see the inconsistencies in the story from police? They have stated both “no witnesses” were present, and that “witnesses stated…”. It seems like the report from the alleged assailant has now become a witness statement.
Assailant: Hello, I’d like to report an assault of which I’ve left the scene. A man ran his face into my fist three times, while he was telling me he’s gay.
Police: Did you call him a faggot?
Assailant: No, and he punched and kicked my car, too.
Police: Witnesses state no slurs were used and that Danny punched and kicked the car.
The report from Saturday’s incident, as well as the police acknowledgement of the previous incidents have all been changing as the spotlight comes round and focuses on them. This has quickly brought to light this goes past a single incident, and everyone in the community regardless of
race, religion, or sexual orientation should be concerned at the allegations that the police are not reporting accurately.
One more thing. Using the story of a man being beaten, possible for being gay, as a political platform to blame the mayor and promote your candidate is disgusting, and you have no humanity.
kennyhuston on October 12 at 10:51 a.m.
Lets say an inebriated redheaded person instigates a confrontation by hitting someone’s car. If the other party, (while getting ready to hit him), says, “You hit the wrong car ginger!”. Does this constitute a hate crime?
It sounds to me like after Mr. Hawkins realized the cops pretty much decided he deserved what he got - he’s going to try and pull the minority card, (sexual orientation), to try and get what he feels would be justice. Sorry - but nobody’s buying it Mr. Hawkins!
IMHO a hate crime would be if the said individual, whose vehicle was hit, had just been hanging outside a known LGBT bar lying in wait for ANY individual to attack.
What Mr. Hawkins needs to do is learn how to do is:
1) Control himself while under the influence of alcohol
2) Keep his hands to himself
3) Learn how to fight if he’s going to go around provoking
them.
Mr. Hawkins attempt to use the “hate crime” designation when it’s NOT warranted does nothing but undermine the use of the law for those victims who REALLY need it!!!
shawnv on October 12 at 11:18 a.m.
Brian,
Just to be clear: DeRuwe did not use the term reasonable doubt — she just spoke generally, over a longer time, about the need police have to meet the charging standards and have enough evidence for a case. I incorrectly added the term “reasonable-doubt” in an effort to characterize her comments.
So the mistake here was mine, not hers. I’m writing a correction for tomorrow.
Shawn
stopthehate on October 12 at 11:25 a.m.
If a pedestrian is close enough to the front of a moving vehicle to touch it, it is not the fault of the pedestrian if he/she said vehicle. For all we know the vehicle actually hit this pedestrians extended out arms.
Also lets call this what it was, a beating.
A fight is defined as: To take part in a violent struggle involving the exchange of physical blows or the use of weapons.
While a beating is: A punishment or assault in which the victim is hit repeatedly.
From accounts of both the driver and the pedestrian, the pedestrian at no point ever touched the driver.
Also, a hate crime does not need to be premeditated, it can happen in an instant when a hater encounters those persons with whom they hate.
Reminder, no one deserves to be physically assaulted. If you honestly feel that this pedestrian deserved this beating, then you have some anger/hate issues that you should address.
homerun on October 12 at 11:32 a.m.
kennyhuston is the only non-moron commenting on this article.
misjustice on October 12 at 11:52 a.m.
If Mr. Hawkins had kept his hands to himself he would have tottered drunkly on his merry way; but for his actions there would not have been a beat down.
I DO NOT believe that he “deserved” to be beaten but he did not do himself any favor by slapping, tapping, hitting, or otherwise striking the car.
Folks, when you drink to the point that your judgment is impaired you do not make good decisions and place yourself in danger of being hurt/preyed on by others. Alcohol is the common demoninator in all the above stories; alcohol and the poor judgment that was exercised while under the influence.
Are hate crimes committed in Spokan’t? YES! But I doubt that Mr. Hawkins being beaten up while being drunk (and IMO disorderly) rises to the level of a hate crime. He should have kept his hands to himself and gone on about his business. ALMOST hitting someone with a car happens every day in Spokan’t and most folks count themselves lucky (that they weren’t hit by the vehicle); not as victims because they provoked a beat down.
Just sayin’…
kennyhuston on October 12 at 11:54 a.m.
Next time somebody lays their hands on my property or body I’m going to make sure and keep my mouth shut while finishing the fight they started - so as not to be wrongly accused of a hate crime! Geesh!!! *****SIGH*****
brianrbreen on October 12 at 11:59 a.m.
There is a long history regarding hate crime legislation, and all the arguments here have been discussed over and over again. Without question there is a place for “Hate Crime” charges and the attachments associated with them. The issue here is whether or not Mr. Hawkins actually was the victim of a “Hate Crime”. If one were to believe the press reports, he was not.
Some outspoken members of the gay community will blame the cops, up to this point I don’t see what the cops have done wrong. My expectation (and you will note from my previous posts it has to a certain extent been met) is that to put the fire out you actually confront the issues and explain them. I remember attending a fluff session where Ozzie and Chief Kirkpatrick were there. a gal from the gay community that stood up and expressed her concern about the way LE handles gay issues. Kirkpatrick’s response was Gee, you got a problem talk to …..that person is out. What a CS response from a law enforcement leader, I was hoping she would clean that up but she didn’t so I walked.
There are problems everywhere in the community, not just the gay community. But the gay community should pick their battles and this ain’t one.
BTW, I’m not gay and I have plenty of witnesses.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.36.080
Dazzeetrader11 on October 12 at 12:36 p.m.
To put things in persective, this happens every night in stright bars around every city. people get drunk and do things…mouthy things, nasty things..and they get slapped around for their deeds. And there is a compenent of temporary “hate” involved too.
Nothing in this story posted ( which is more of a editorial than a news story), is unique to gays. Drunk people and fighting generates cuts and black eyes. Happens all the time…..gee……the combatants even call each other names too! Shaazzzzzaaaaaaaaaam!.
Like my Daddy says “hang around barbarshops long enough, you’ll end up with a haircut”. Kinda like bars and drunks. It’s ust a matter of time………
As an aside, Kenny is hugely funny with his comments.
kennyhuston on October 12 at 12:41 p.m.
I was not there and violence is never the answer. I would not try to label it as a hate crime if I were to drunkenly lay my hands on a carfull of aliens just because as they called me “Earthling” as they responded violently to my drunk ass touching their property.
Trust me, if the cops could’ve given the driver ANY type of a ticket they would’ve! That’s revenue, and from what news I’ve heard the city could use it! Why can’t we all just get along?
BTW homerun - like kennyhuston is my REAL name or something you moron! ROTFLMFAO!!! ;-D
@brianbreen - I hear you’re a SPHS Alumni - BTW Do you know Glenna Glinski?
madscientist on October 12 at 12:58 p.m.
Kenny,
That is your real name you moron. You also work for your mom.
Dazzeetrader11 on October 12 at 1:07 p.m.
Maybe so Mad..but he’s very clear thinking on this topic…funny too:)
brianrbreen on October 12 at 1:12 p.m.
Thanks Shawn,
Most people don’t understand the burden, the reason I asked whether it was an accurate quote or not was to allow for clarification and I’m glad you did. I suspect Jenn called you right away.
Hate Crimes are tough cases because you have to prove that whatever happened was motivated by hate. My bitch is no one took the time from law enforcement to sit down and explain exactly what the burdens are from a law enforcement perspective.
The best thing that could happen when issues like this come up is that you along with whoever, address the issues from both perspectives. I understand the complete lack of trust by many of the SPD, including the media but in reality there are two sides. You and I both know that because some members of the gay community want to try and make an issue of this that the SPD, as they should, will go out of their way from now on to try and resolve it.I’m not saying that’s right from the standpoint of everyone being equal, I’m only saying that is right from the standpoint of trying gain the trust of the entire community.
Now, had Hawkins been Irish, and got his butt kicked, there may have been something there, and perhaps I would have got my IRA people involved.
brianrbreen on October 12 at 1:44 p.m.
Kenny,
We used to kick the crap out Shadle guys on the field and off…well some times. Besides the cheer leaders being hot the only thing you guys had was some receivers who could catch the ball. One after his pro career ended up being a county cop and his dad was the best police chief I served under. I remember going into a meeting with the Mayor and Council and him saying something to the effect you guys are full of sh#t if you expect me to do that find someone else. They didn’t!
Okay…Okay…..so Tom Sears kicked my arse once, I won the second time.
As far as Glenna Glinski is concerned, I’ll take the Sgt Shultz line.
Loudin on October 12 at 3:07 p.m.
I’m so confused by this.
On the one hand, regardless of your belief in whether this is a “hate crime” or not, everyone tends to agree that alcohol played a dangerous part in this and other recent downtown incidents. Thus, less alcoholic consumption results in a safer Spokane.
On the other hand, Costco is telling me that I should vote for their measure to make hard liquor more accessible in Spokane. The crux of their argument, that privatizing the sale of liquor will have not significantly affect underage drinking, driving under the influence and crime in general, means more alcoholic consumption results in a “still safe” Spokane.
However, I don’t think it’s either one of those.
Maybe the problem isn’t really alcohol at all. Rather, maybe it’s the disturbing numbers of 20- and 30-something males in the greater Spokane area that keep putting themselves in situations where they’re going to fail. Going to bars downtown, staying out too late, way overestimating their physical prowess, getting visible tattoos and piercings, working in dead-end jobs, getting women pregnant, living for now, not really planning for their futures, being social burdens…maybe that is the real problem in Spokane (though it’s definitely not unique to us).
Loudin
PS: For the record, I’m apparently a “breeder.” For those of you who are not “breeders,” do not call me a “breeder”…only “breeders” can call other “breeders,” “breeders.” Wait, what? Well, let’s simplify it: If someone who is not a “breeder” calls me a “breeder” while angry with me, I’m going to consider it a crime and, if physically provoked, I will utilize my sober superpowers to pummel you while we await the police. I don’t want to do that, but we have to be fair all around…thus I won’t call you “queer” and you don’t call me “breeder.” Verstehst, bros? Good…’cuz labels suck.
kennyhuston on October 14 at 11:24 a.m.
I agree Loudin - labels suck!!!!