A Massachusetts man accused of claiming “Go back to China” to a household of Asian descent after which twice placing certainly one of them along with his automobile was launched with situations at a courtroom listening to Thursday.
John Sullivan, 77, of Quincy, was deemed by a decide to be harmful however was launched to dwelling confinement with GPS monitoring, with exceptions for medical and courtroom appointments. He can be barred from driving.
Sullivan had been held with out bail since his preliminary arrest Dec. 2.
He beforehand pleaded not responsible to expenses together with assault and battery with a harmful weapon, leaving the scene of a motorized vehicle collision inflicting private damage, and violating civil rights. On Thursday he pleaded not responsible to an extra cost of assault and battery to intimidate based mostly on race, a hate crime.
Sullivan’s legal professional, Patrick Donovan, mentioned he strongly disputes the allegations.
“This is appalling what has happened to him,” Donovan mentioned in a phone interview.
According to legislation enforcement’s account of occasions, Sullivan was driving close to the submit workplace within the metropolis simply south of Boston late on the morning of Dec. 2 when he exchanged phrases with a bunch of pedestrians apparently upset by his velocity.
Sullivan then allegedly mentioned “Go back to China,” earlier than placing a 38-year-old man who was along with his sister and her three youngsters along with his car and driving about 50 yards with the person on the automobile hood.
Sullivan once more mentioned “Go back to China” and struck the person a second time, this time knocking him right into a building ditch, in response to police.
He drove away however was apprehended a short while later.
Police summoned an ambulance however the man was not transported. His sister instructed media shops he suffered a concussion and different accidents.
Sullivan’s legal professional mentioned there’s no proof of a hate crime, and an eyewitness who made a recording of occasions didn’t hear his shopper say what’s he’s accused of claiming.
“The video does not portray what the alleged victim said happened,” he mentioned.
He additionally mentioned his shopper’s automobile barely moved when it struck the person, who had been pounding on it so arduous that he left dents.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”