Felony charges have been dropped against a teenager who left skid marks on a crosswalk that was decorated with an LBGT pride mural in downtown Spokane, Washington.
According to court documents obtained by local outlet KXLY, prosecutors were ordered to dismiss the charges of first-degree malicious mischief against Ruslan Turk, 19. The charge, a class-B felony in the state, carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The teen was initially arrested on June 5 after several residents dialed 911 to report on teens driving over the mural with scooters. The incident came after activists had gathered to repaint the mural after it was previously sat on fire back in May.
Police ultimately apprehended Turk and two other teens by accessing CCTV footage from nearby buildings.
In response, electric scooter and bike rental company Lime enacted a “no-go zone” on the crosswalk that caused their bike and scooters to lock up when crossing the vicinity of the
Lime Director of Government Relations Hayden Harvey announced at the time that the company “condemn these vile acts in no uncertain terms.”
“At a time when our teams at Lime are beginning pride celebrations around the globe, it is disturbing to see the hate taking place in Spokane,” he added. “We will not let the hateful few spoil the joy of Pride Month in Spokane, and are grateful for those working to make Spokane more welcoming for all.”
Washington Governor Jay Inslee recently signed legislation to update the state’s hate crime law to include the defacement of public property back in March. The updated law went into effect Thursday, June 6, meaning it is a felony to deface gay pride artwork in Washington state.
Prosecutors had requested a $15,000 bond, citing estimated costs of repairing the mural.
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