Attorney Demands Charges in Alleged Racial Assault of Teen

A disturbing incident in Wisconsin has taken a new turn as an attorney representing a 14-year-old victim is demanding that the teenagers involved face charges, potentially including hate crime enhancements. While law enforcement initially stated the attack was not racially motivated, the victim’s attorney, B’Ivory LaMarr, disputes this conclusion, presenting cellphone footage that allegedly captures the attackers using racial slurs against the boy.

Disputing Official Conclusions with Video Evidence

The incident, which occurred on August 17th, involved a group of teenagers allegedly attacking the 14-year-old victim. The Iowa County Sheriff’s Office stated that the assault was not racially motivated but rather a response to alleged crimes committed by the victim. However, LaMarr argues that the video evidence clearly contradicts this assessment, as racial epithets can be heard during the assault.

LaMarr, speaking to WKOW, emphasized that the victim has not been charged with any crimes. He stressed that even if the victim had committed alleged acts, it is irrelevant to the video evidence depicting a racially charged attack. “Irregardless [of] whether the victim was the individual who is alleged to have committed these acts, I think that’s completely beside the point here. There have been no criminal charges whatsoever against the victim,” LaMarr stated.

Seeking Accountability and Justice

LaMarr believes the evidence presented warrants further investigation, particularly regarding the potential for escalating charges to include hate crimes. “I think that the evidence based on the racial slurs that can be heard in a video, at least that I present, warrants further investigation into potentially escalating any charges that would be referred to a hate crime,” he said. At a minimum, LaMarr expects assault and battery charges, possibly rising to a felony level based on the severity of the attack and the alleged racial motivation.

The victim’s family has contacted LaMarr, and the boy is reportedly willing to speak with police investigators. The attorney’s firm stance underscores the importance of addressing potential hate crimes and ensuring accountability for actions fueled by racial animus. The case highlights the ongoing challenges in prosecuting hate crimes and the critical role of evidence in such proceedings.