One of two men who assaulted another man while shouting anti-gay epithets outside the Westend Package Bar in Newberry, Florida, near Gainesville, in early September, has been arrested and charged.
According to the North Florida Herald, "The Gainesville man, a 31-year-old white male, was
badly beaten after several people questioned his sexual orientation,
[Officer Steve] Maynard said. Two men punched the victim in the face and then
broke a beer bottle on his head, according to the police report. The
men proceeded to kick the victim once he had fallen down and was
unresponsive. The attack was unprovoked, Maynard said. Initial
reports, which include interviews with eyewitnesses, show that two men
jumped on the victim and beat the man while calling him derogatory
names related to being a homosexual."
Police arrested William Dennis Bracewell: "Bracewell was arrested at his construction job in Gainesville and
charged with aggravated battery that caused great bodily harm or
disability, as well as a hate crime charge…Bracewell has posted bond of $50,000 and is out of jail, said Art Forgey, Alachua County public information officer. Forgey said that hate crimes charges are not common in the county."
