2 Men Acquitted of Hate Crime Despite New Anti-Gay Violence Law

Jury found them guilty on other charges, however

Two men were acquitted of hate-crime charges despite being the first U.S. prosecution under a new federal law against anti-gay violence. Cousins Jason and Anthony Jenkins were the first people tried under a section of the federal hate-crime law that makes it illegal to injure someone because of the victim's real or perceived sexual orientation. Prosecutors argued that the men attacked 29-year-old Kevin Pennington at a rural state park because of Pennington's sexual orientation. It was not clear why jurors late Wednesday rejected that argument. However, the men were found guilty on the charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to a kidnapping. (Washington Post)

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