A 56-year-old Hudson man has been discovered responsible of shouting a racial slur at a 34-year-old Black man earlier than putting him along with his truck, operating him over and killing him in a Belmont neighborhood.
Dean Kapsalis was convicted on Monday for the racially motivated homicide of Henry Tapia.
Kapsalis was discovered responsible of second-degree homicide, violation of constitutional rights inflicting severe bodily damage, assault and battery by the use of harmful weapon (motorized vehicle) inflicting severe bodily damage, and leaving the scene after inflicting damage.
On Jan. 19, 2021 within the late afternoon, the Hudson man shouted a racial slur at Tapia earlier than hitting him along with his Dodge Dakota truck, operating him over and killing him on a residential avenue in Belmont.
“The murder of Henry Tapia is a senseless tragedy fueled by hate and anger,” Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan stated. “The fact that some of the last words Henry Tapia heard were a horrific racial insult meant to intimidate and threaten him based on the color of his skin is something we cannot tolerate.”
Belmont Police on Jan. 19 obtained a 911 name reporting {that a} man had been struck by a automobile within the space of 39-45 Upland Road. Police instantly responded and located Tapia aware however affected by life-threatening accidents.
First responders supplied emergency help till Belmont Rescue arrived. Tapia was transported from the scene to Massachusetts General Hospital, the place he later died.
The police investigation revealed that Kapsalis and Tapia had been arguing within the roadway. That argument wound down, however as Tapia started to stroll again towards his automobile, Kapsalis hurled a racial slur at him — after which received into his Dodge Dakota pickup truck and drove it at Tapia.
Kapsalis struck Tapia and dragged him a brief distance earlier than Kapsalis fled the scene. He later turned himself in to police.
At trial, his protection legal professional argued that Tapia’s demise was an accident.
“What is significant about today’s verdict is that when we have incidents in Middlesex County motivated by bigotry and racism, that hatred will not be treated as a background fact,” the DA stated. “It will likely be charged and prosecuted individually.
“Although nothing that happens in court can return Mr. Tapia to his grieving family, today’s convictions send a strong signal that those who commit hate fueled violence in this county will be held fully accountable,” Ryan added.
Over the final 5 years, incidents of hate and bias have change into extra prevalent in Massachusetts.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”