Troy Deacon Burns, Anti-Gay Hate Crime, Washington 2015

A shocking display of hatred played out on the streets of Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood when 38-year-old Bremerton resident Troy Deacon Burns brutally assaulted three gay men in a homophobic attack.

According to court documents, the vicious assault occurred just after midnight on January 25, 2015, when Burns approached the three men walking on East Pike Street toward Broadway. Burns, who was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time, shouted homophobic slurs and raised a knife above his head in a stabbing position.

Fearing for their safety, the men took off running, but Burns quickly caught up to one of them and attempted to stab him again with the knife. Luckily, one of the other men was able to pull his friend away from Burns before the situation escalated further.

It was only with the help of Seattle Police Officers that Burns was finally apprehended and taken into custody. Even while being detained in the patrol car, Burns continued to yell homophobic slurs, further demonstrating the extent of his hatred and bigotry.

The case was investigated by the Seattle Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bruce Miyake and Saeed Mody, Trial Attorney, Civil Rights Division. The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is providing significant assistance with the case.

Troy Deacon Burns has pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act. He will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge James L. Robart on November 10, 2015.

The guilty plea is a significant victory for the victims of this heinous crime and a testament to the importance of holding perpetrators of hate crimes accountable for their actions. The case serves as a reminder that hate crimes will not be tolerated in our community and that those who commit such crimes will face the full force of the law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/bremerton-washington-man-pleads-guilty-anti-gay-hate-crime-seattle-s-capitol-hill