Pastor Not Guilty Of Hate Crime

A local minister was acquitted of a hate crime charge last week by convincing a jury he was acting in defense of his home when he allegedly used a gay slur while throwing out his estranged son and another man.

The incident, in which Derrick G. Moore, 51, physically removed the two men from a shower in his home, prompted felony charges of malicious harassment from the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office. One of the men received a cut above his eye in the scuffle.

Taxpayers will now be responsible to pay Moore’s legal bills, based on a state law that allows defendants to recoup court costs if they successfully argue self-defense. Washington’s laws protect defendants who are defending the lives of themselves or their families, as well as defending “real or personal property.”

Tim Note, Moore’s attorney, said the case hinged on his client’s right to establish rules in his home. He also said Moore was trying to keep several teenagers who were spending the night preparing for a youth church event the next day from seeing the behavior of his son, Antonio Moore, who turned 21 in April/ Kip Hill , SR. More here .

Question: Did the jury make the right decision?