NATION : Judge Bars Intimidation Law
From Times Wire Services
ANN ARBOR, Mich. —
A judge ruled that a state law against ethnic intimidation is unconstitutional, and dismissed a charge against a white man accused of torching a black family’s home.
The 1989 law makes it a crime to harm someone because of race or ethnic background. Washtenaw County Judge Thomas Shea on Wednesday said the law violates the free speech provision of the First Amendment. Shea ordered Christopher Justice to stand trial only on arson, not intimidation.
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