This Is A Terrorist Act
(Cleburne, Texas) Three teens charged in the vicious beating last October of a gay high school student pleaded innocent Thursday at their arraignment.
The name of the 17 year old victim is being withheld from publication at the request of his family and police.
He was beaten and then stomped on and kicked with steel-toe boots. His injuries were so severe he needed reconstructive face surgery and may have permanent damage.
Police say the 17 year old student had gone to a party being thrown by other teens. Soon after he arrived, according to the police report, "one of the three individuals asked [him] if he was gay or bisexual."
When he answered yes, he was struck in the face. When he fell to the floor the others then beat and kicked him until he was nearly unconscious.
Several girls at the party managed to drag him from the onslaught and help him to a hospital.
Christopher Paul Lathers, 18, faces a felony charge of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. The second-degree felony was elevated to a first-degree felony when a hate-crime element was added.
Billy Lynn Calahan, 19, and Cory Dallas Gibson, 17, face misdemeanor charges that were elevated to Class A misdemeanors with the hate-crime element. Calahan is accused of punching and Gibson is accused of kicking the victim.
The three, who were indicted last month, (story) have been released on bail pending trial. They will be subject to random drug tests and are prohibited from drinking alcohol.
If convicted of the hate charge Lathers could face up to 99 years in prison.
The charges against Calahan and Gibson carry a possible punishment of 20 years in prison.
