Prosecutor: No Charges to be Filed in Alleged Hate Crime At Michigan State University

[Dwyer]

Witnesses told police that a Michigan State University student whose jaw was broken at an off-campus party was slugged because he was repeatedly harassing women – not because he’s Jewish, according to a police report released Thursday after a prosecutor said no hate-crime charge would be filed.

Zach Tennen of Franklin had said he was a victim of “religious hatred,” and his family rallied to his side as he recovered after the Aug. 26 incident in East Lansing. But others at the party told police that Tennen, 19, had been drinking and wouldn’t keep his hands off women.

The man who delivered the punch said Tennen, a sophomore, was “walking around to many girls at the party, rubbing up against them with his hands and asking them to hook up and kiss him,” according to a police report released under a public records request.

freep.com/article/20120928/NEWS06/309280100/Prosecutor-No-charges-filed-alleged-hate-crime-MSU

Thought I would update this news story story which was discussed in another thread when it made headlines.

I don’t think anyone should be punched in the face unless of course it’s a case of self-defense; punching someone in the face is a barbaric act.

Zach Tennen, however, should have kept his hands to himself.

Michigan State student’s mouth stapled in hate attack thread:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=706539&highlight=michigan+state+university

 

[Trader]

freep.com/article/20120928/NEWS06/309280100/Prosecutor-No-charges-filed-alleged-hate-crime-MSU

Thought I would update this news story story which was discussed in another thread when it made headlines.

I don’t think anyone should be punched in the face unless of course it’s a case of self-defense; punching people in the face is a barbaric act.

Zach Tennen, however, should have kept his hands to himself.

Michigan State student’s mouth stapled in hate attack thread:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=706539&highlight=michigan+state+university

I believe the law also provides for reasonable force in the defense of others. I don’t know all the facts here, but if the accused witnessed multiple assaults (unwanted touching), he had a reason to use some force. Apparently the prosecutors have decided it was reasonable.

As for hate crimes, how are they different from love crimes? Hate crime laws make some people more equal than others. Your motive should not be an element of the crime; if you do the crime, you should do the time. Enhanced sentences are reasonable if you are likely a continuing danger to society for lots of reasons. Why should judges and juries have to read the mind of a criminal?

 

[Sebrina]

If the women he had touched or rubbed up against had punched him, this whole thing would have died down and gone nowhere… I’m not advocating punching anyone in the face unless it’s self defense, but maybe the women involved should have stood up for themselves, as well.

 

[Tampa_Dave]

I believe the law also provides for reasonable force in the defense of others. I don’t know all the facts here, but if the accused witnessed multiple assaults (unwanted touching), he had a reason to use some force. Apparently the prosecutors have decided it was reasonable.

As for hate crimes, how are they different from love crimes? Hate crime laws make some people more equal than others. Your motive should not be an element of the crime; if you do the crime, you should do the time. Enhanced sentences are reasonable if you are likely a continuing danger to society for lots of reasons. Why should judges and juries have to read the mind of a criminal?

I am a criminal defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor. Certainly, being Jewish does not give one license to grab young co-eds at a college party.

I personally don’t like ‘hate crime’ designations. The physical act should solely dictate the type of crime charged. Whether I punch you because I don’t like your race, religion or sexual preference, or simply the smell of your breath, the act is still a simple assault. But that is just my opinion.

 

[Bill_Martin]

Good.

 

[BListon]

freep.com/article/20120928/NEWS06/309280100/Prosecutor-No-charges-filed-alleged-hate-crime-MSU

Thought I would update this news story story which was discussed in another thread when it made headlines.

I don’t think anyone should be punched in the face unless of course it’s a case of self-defense; punching someone in the face is a barbaric act.

Zach Tennen, however, should have kept his hands to himself.

Michigan State student’s mouth stapled in hate attack thread:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=706539&highlight=michigan+state+university

One more reason to pull for ND instead!:irish3:

 

[tarboy]

I am a criminal defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor. Certainly, being Jewish does not give one license to grab young co-eds at a college party.

I personally don’t like ‘hate crime’ designations. The physical act should solely dictate the type of crime charged. Whether I punch you because I don’t like your race, religion or sexual preference, or simply the smell of your breath, the act is still a simple assault. But that is just my opinion.

I’m also not a fan of having special “hate crimes”

Murder and assault have always been about hate,
the sentences can be tough and just need to be implemented.
The judge already has leway to impletment the harshest penalty