Omaha man found guilty of hate crime for stealing and burning lesbian couple's gay pride flag

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Todd Cooper

A judge on Wednesday convicted an Omaha man of a hate crime for stealing a lesbian couple’s gay pride flag, setting it on fire and waving it in front of their house.

Douglas County District Judge Duane Dougherty found Cameron Mayfield guilty of a felony. He set sentencing for August.

Mayfield, 24, faces up to two years in prison or five years of probation.

Mayfield's attorney, James Martin Davis, had argued that the act was a drunken prank, not the hate crime prosecutors depicted.

FULL story at link.

Related Stories @ link.
Lesbian couple file protection order against man accused of stealing, burning gay pride flag
Man facing trial for stealing, burning gay-pride flag: 'It was a prank'


Cameron Mayfield




Read more: http://www.omaha.com/news/crime/omaha-man-found-guilty-of-hate-crime-for-stealing-and/article_fd8d9774-0ca6-11e6-99c3-23fc52f65c3d.html

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And this from early last year: Man convicted of hate crime in 2013 Old Market assault: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141013201

[Jackie Wilson Said]

1. Fantastic.

[jpak]

2. No gunz 4 u

[bluedigger]

3. I feel bad for him that he has a felony on his record for such a stupid act.

Not as bad as every pothead with a felony on their record, but still, a little bad. Have fun explaining that on your job applications the rest of your life, buddy!

[christx30]

5. I don't feel bad for what's happening to him.

He stole the flag and burned it in front of their house, where they could see. He wanted them to see.
"You lesbians aren't safe here in your own home."
That's why it was investigated as a hate crime rather than just a simple theft/arson. Hopefully this case will be a deterrent. Hopefully it'll get people to mind their own business, rather than express their hatred of certain people in unhealthy, criminal ways. "Well, I hate those f's. On the other hand, I don't want to go to prison for 10 years. Maybe I'll go to work and do something productive with my time."

Hopefully those two wonderful ladies can get back to feeling safe.

[Major Nikon]

6. Yep, fuck him and the horse he rode in on

This was no "prank". He fulfilled his objective of terrorizing the couple and now he can spend some time in prison reflecting on where his hate has taken him.

[Ligyron]

4. He looks young

I wonder what steps the couple had to take in order to bring this idiot before a court. Video? Witnesses to this witless act?

Well, whatever they had to do, good on them for pursuing this..

[SCVDem]

7. Nip it in the bud!

These actions will inspire others unless slapped down hard!

Some people deserve to be locked up.

Does an act of terror deserve a mulligan?

I don't think so!

[awoke_in_2003]

9. I can't see that phrase

without thinking of this

https://m.

[SCVDem]

10. Yep

I was thinking of Barney.

[awoke_in_2003]

11. So

We're equally twisted?

[Judi Lynn]

8. Why should what happens within his neighbors' house obsess him? He needs a wider perspective.

He can use some time in prison to try to learn to think for the first time in his life: it's different from plotting against others, planning ways to terrorize them, and imagining how to act cool when confronted.