News (USA)

Woman convicted, husband on trial for attack on gay couple walking pink poodle

Woman convicted, husband on trial for attack on gay couple walking pink poodle

BEAVERTON, Ore. — A jury in Oregon has convicted a 23-year-old woman for her role in the attack last year on a gay couple who were walking their pink-dyed pink poodle.

“Beauty” was dyed pink for Easter.

The jury of 12 people found Saraya Sophia Lisa Gardner guilty on one count of obstruction of justice, reported The Oregonian.

The verdict comes as jury selection began in the trial of her husband, 23-year-old George Allen Mason Jr., who is charged with the more serious offense of a hate crime for allegedly punching David Beltier of Beaverton, Ore., and striking him on the back of the head with a metal tool.

Police say Mason and Gardner had hurled anti-gay slurs at Beltier and his boyfriend, Jeremy Mark, as they crossed the street in front of Mason’s SUV with their dog, Beauty, whose fur had been dyed pink with Kool-Aid for Easter.

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“Honestly, I feel like the pink poodle provoked him,” Beltier said. “We weren’t holding hands or anything. Just walking the dog like normal.”

When police went to investigate the attack – one Beltier feared could have easily ended his life – they met with Gardner who they say lied about her husband’s whereabouts.

Mason could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted; Gardner’s sentencing is scheduled for May 12.

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