The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office announced Friday it has filed Felony Assault and Hate Crime charges against Chase Little of Beaumont TX, and Colton Leblanc, of Winnie TX following its review of a September 25, 2016 assault on a Sikh resident of Richmond, Maan Singh Khalsa.
On the night of September 25, Mr, Khalsa was alone in his car stopped at a red light on Hilltop Road in Richmond CA, when a pickup truck pulled up next to his car. The truck was occupied by five individuals and beer cans were thrown at Mr. Khalsa’s vehicle. A fellow motorist called 911 to report the conduct of the truck occupants. When the light cycled to green, both the truck and Mr. Khalsa proceeded onto Hilltop Road. At this time, Mr. Khalsa was concerned about the harassment he was experiencing and called 911 from his cell phone.
Mr. Khalsa then stopped for a red light at a subsequent intersection when two occupants of the truck exited and ran a substantial distance to his car. Two assailants proceed to repeatedly punch Mr. Khalsa in the face through an open window while he was seated inside his vehicle. Mr. Khalsa’s turban was displaced during the barrage of punches and the assailants proceeded to pull Mr. Khalsa by the hair. While yelling obscenities the assailants forced Mr. Khalsa’s head down and cut a significant portion of his unshorn hair. Portions of the attack were overheard and recorded by the CHP police dispatcher who was trying to determine Mr. Khalsa’s location.
Following the attack, Mr. Khalsa drove himself to a nearby gas station where he waited for first responders. Mr. Khalsa sustained a swollen black eye, numerous damaged teeth, and several knife wounds to his left hand. A penetrating knife wound caused nerve damage and required stitches. Due to an infection from the knife wound, Mr. Khalsa’s pinky finger will be amputated at the first knuckle.
The District Attorney’s Office has concluded that Mr. Khalsa’s actual or perceived race/ethnicity, religion and nationality was a substantial factor in the vicious assault. The savage cutting of Mr. Khalsa’s unshorn hair, a sacred article of his faith, constitutes a hate crime under the law.
In a collaborative effort, the Richmond Police Department and District Attorney’s Office pursued a supplemental investigation to determine the identity of previously unknown participants. The investigation resulted in the identification of a previously unidentified assailant, Colton Leblanc as well as additional evidence against arrested suspect Chase Little. Based upon the supplemental investigation the Office of the District Attorney has concluded that Dustin Albarado did not partake in the physical attack upon Mr. Khalsa and he will not face criminal charges.
Defendant Chase Little is out on bail, with a pending court date of November 21, 2016. A bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of Colton Tye Leblanc. The charging document is attached.
District Attorney Peterson stated: “We take all hate crimes committed in our county very seriously and they will be vigorously prosecuted.”
For any further information please contact DDA Simon O’Connell at [email protected]
Congressman DeSaulnier’s Statement on Hate Crime Charges Filed by Contra Costa County District Attorney
Richmond, CA – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) released the following statement on the hate crime charges filed by Contra Costa County District Attorney, Mark Peterson, following the attack of Maan Singh Khalsa, a Sikh man in Richmond last month.
“I join the people of Richmond and the Sikh community in expressing my deep concern over the attack on Mr. Khalsa. Acts of discrimination and hatred have no place in our society, and no member of our community should ever fear for their safety because of their religion or culture. I am pleased the District Attorney’s office has filed hate crime charges and is seeking justice for Mr. Khalsa, and upholding the values of the people of Richmond,” said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier
1 comment
Wow.
All of those hateful bastards should have been arrested with no bail.
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