Suspect says he beat teen because he was angry over Trayvon Martin case

[The Northerner]

An 18-year-old man charged with a hate crime in Oak Park told investigators he beat his victim in anger over the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, according to the Cook County state’s attorney office.

Alton L. Hayes, of the 1200 block of Woodbine Avenue in Oak Park, was charged with attempted robbery and aggravated battery along with a hate crime, state’s attorney spokesman Andy Conklin said on Wednesday afternoon. A 15-year-old Chicago boy also was charged with attempted robbery in the incident.

Hayes is being held on $80,000 bail, according to the Cook County sheriff office’s website.

Oak Park Police Commander LaDon Reynolds said that Hayes and the 15-year-old approached the 19-year-old man from behind while walking in the 600 block of North Kenilworth Avenue about 1 a.m. on April 17.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-authorities-racially-charged-beating-sparked-by-death-of-trayvon-martin-20120425,0,6204964.story


How about instead of resorting to violence, Hayes and the other suspect could've instead raised more awareness of Trayvon Martin's shooting by doing some civil such as protesting or spreading information about the incident?

[sadbear]

1. "Suspect says he beat teen..."

Suspect was younger than that "teen", too. Misleading headline.

[ZombieHorde]

2. I wonder if some in the media are hoping for a race war.

Just think of the ratings!

[rustydog]

3. My thought is: What was a 15 year old doing out at 1am?

Except looking for trouble...
At that age, I was expected to be (and was) in bed.

[Rex]

4. So 19 is a teen and 18 is a man?

Boy someone is really hoping for a race war!

[d_r]

5. And they arrested him

how about that