Texas man accused of stabbing Palestinian-American will not face hate crime charges
A man accused of a stabbing attack in Austin, Texas, will not be charged with a hate crime despite allegations of using racial slurs.
Bert James Baker was accused of stabbing a Palestinian-American following a “free Palestine” rally, but a grand jury did not find evidence of a hate crime.
Baker was instead indicted on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Travis County District Attorney José Garza emphasized the office’s commitment to prosecuting hate crimes.
Baker allegedly verbally assaulted a group in a pickup truck, resulting in a physical fight, Austin police said.
Witnesses claimed Baker attacked one victim and stabbed another.
The victim believed he targeted them due to a Palestinian scarf in their truck, police said.
Baker remains in jail on a $100,000 bond.
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