15 years lgbtq flag
Lesbian attorney was biased, argued the male sentenced to 16 years for burning gay pride flag
A man sentenced last month to 16 years in prison after he burned a gay event banner argued before his trial that the lawyer appointed to represent him had a conflict of interest because she is a queer woman , newly released court records show.
Adolfo Martinez was arrested in June after he stole a pride banner hanging at Ames United Church of Christ and burned it outside a nearby club.
Martinez admitted his behavior were driven by his dislike of gay people. He unsuccessfully argued for dismissal of a impose against him of third-degree arson in violation of individual rights — hate crime, contending that his prosecution would violate his First Amendment right to free speech.
In addition to the arson hate crime, he was found remorseful in November of harassment and reckless employ of fire or explosives.
The length of the sentence made national headlines. It was increased five-fold by the combination of the hate crime and habitual offender sentencing enhancements sought by Story County prosecutors because of Martinez's criminal record.
Martinez argued in an August court hearing that his attorn
Fifteen years in Iowa jail for burning pride flag
A US judge has handed down a sentence of at least 15 years to a gentleman who stole an LGBT pride flag from a church and burned it outside a strip club.
Adolfo Martinez, 30, admitted to the media that he took the flag from Ames United Church of Christ due to his animosity towards homosexuals.
He was found guilty last month of hate crime harassment, reckless use of energy and being a habitual offender.
The incident occurred around midnight on 11 June in downtown Ames, Iowa.
Police say the crime spree began at Dangerous Curves, a strip club, when police were called because a man was making threats. By the hour they arrived, he had already been kicked out by bar staff.
After vanishing the club, Martinez then travelled to the church and ripped down its flag. He then returned to the strip club where he used lighter fluid to burn the flag in the avenue. He also threatened to burn down the bar.
He was arrested later that day, and told local media in a jail house interview that he was "guilty as charged".
"It was an honour to do that. It's a blessing from the Lord,&quo
Iowa Man Who Tore Down, Burned LGBTQ Flag Gets More Than 15 Years In Prison
/ CBS Minnesota
NEVADA, Iowa (AP) — A man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for burning an LGBTQ flag that was flying at a church in central Iowa.
Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames, was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years for the detest crime of arson, as well as a year for the reckless employ of explosives or heat, and 30 days for harassment. The sentences are to be served consecutively, Story County court records show.
A jury convicted Martinez in November. He was arrested in June.
Martinez said he tore down the flag that had been hanging from the Merged Church of Christ in Ames and burned it because he opposes homosexuality.
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Iowa man sentenced to 15 years after burning church's LGBTQ flag
NEVADA, Iowa — A man has been imprisoned for burning an LGBTQ flag that was flying at a church in central Iowa.
Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames, was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years for the animosity crime of arson and given a year for reckless use of explosives or fire and 30 days for harassment. The sentences are to be served consecutively, Story County court records said.
A jury convicted Martinez in November. He’d been arrested in June. At the day of his November conviction, KCCI reported that the "habitual offender" charge filed against Martinez called for a lengthier penalty. Abhor crime charges also transport enhanced penalties.
He’s said he tore down the flag that had been hanging from the United Church of Christ in Ames and burned it because he opposes homosexuality.
Courtney Reyes, executive director of One Iowa, a statewide LGBTQ advocacy group, said while her organization appreciates the seriousness with which this biased incident was addressed, "we will continue to strive for a justice system which values restoration over punishment and helps individuals like Adolfo Martinez understand the harm that they’
Utah high school football players could be in trouble for burning pride flag in video
A pair of Utah lofty school football players found themselves at the center of a police study after video surfaced of a player allegedly burning a pride flag while laughing and yelling "all gays die."
The Granite School District in Northern Utah asked police to open an research this week as the controversial Snapchat video sparked outrage on social media, school officials told ABC News on Tuesday.
Concerned community members notified school district officials on Monday, demanding action when a football player at Kearns Elevated School in Salt Lake City distributed the offensive video on social media. Some called for the incident to be investigated as a potential detest crime.
Granite School District spokesman Ben Horsley said the district opened an independent investigation immediately and notified local police.
"We are having police look at it to ensure that there is no criminal implications," Horsley told ABC News in an interview on Tuesday. "Looking at the video, whether if it was intended as a joke or as a earnest and broad threat against LGBTQ individ