SIDNEY, Neb. — A western Nebraska man has been ordered to stand trial on charges he attacked another man outside a bar because he suspected the other man was gay.
Nathan Pohl, 28, of Sidney, is accused of greeting another man March 2 outside a Sidney bar then attacking when the man responded, “Hello,” according to court records.
Witnesses reported Pohl uttered anti-gay slurs and said he “doesn’t like gays” before the attack, Cheyenne County Deputy Attorney Jonathan Stellar said.
A police report said the man who was attacked had been seen holding hands with another man before the assault.
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Pohl declined to comment when reached by phone Thursday, saying he might comment at a later time. His court-appointed attorney, Steven Elmshauser, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Pohl was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault, disturbing the peace and criminal trespass. But prosecutors added felony assault to those charges because they believe he targeted the victim for his sexual orientation.
A hate crime involving assault carries a prison sentence of up to five years.
A Cheyenne County judge on Monday ordered Pohl to stand trial on the charges, though online court records do not indicate a trial date has been set.
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