News (USA)

Mississippi man says parking lot assault was an anti-gay hate crime

Mississippi man says parking lot assault was an anti-gay hate crime
Devin Norman says he was attacked because he is gay.
Devin Norman says he was attacked because he is gay. Facebook

CORINTH, Miss. — A Mississippi man says he is the victim of an anti-gay hate crime that left him beaten and with at least one broken bone.

James David Scott
James David Scott

Police in Corinth, Miss., say James David Scott, 23, of Tishomingo County, confronted the victim, Devin Norman, 26, of Corinth, in a Walmart parking lot on Friday concerning an alleged post made on social media, reports WTVA.

After a few words were exchanged between the two, police said Scott threw Norman to the ground and kicked him several times in the face.

“The alleged Facebook post was apparently sexual in nature,” said police chief Ralph Dance, who added “we haven’t been able to verify that there was ever a Facebook post made.”

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Norman was transported to a local hospital for severe wounds to the face, including at least one broken cheek bone. He posted the above photo of his injuries on Facebook.

Dance said the original charge against Scott was simple assault, but due to the fact he broke bones, charges will be upgraded to aggravated assault on Monday.

Norman says the attack was motivated by the fact he is gay, but so far, authorities haven’t been able to reach that conclusion.

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