A Houston man was charged with a hate crime Wednesday after, authorities say, he hurled racial slurs before attempting to stab a black man at an apartment complex in northwest Harris County on Tuesday.
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James Scott Lee, 32, was heard saying, “I hate niggers, and I’m going to kill me one today,” before brandishing a knife at his victims, prosecutors say. Fortunately, according to Click 2 Houston, the unidentified victim was able to escape by jumping into a car and locking the door.
Lee also had a pair of brass knuckles on him at the time of his arrest, authorities say.
Lee is facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, with a hate crime enhancement. The district attorney’s office called Lee an imminent threat, asking the judge to make his bond $250,000, about eight times more than prosecutors would normally request, according to the news station.
Prosecutors said that Lee is either mentally ill (right) or has a deep-seated hatred toward African Americans.
If convicted, Lee could face anywhere between five years and life in prison
“It’s shocking, even though things are happening like that lately; it still shocks that people would want to do this,” resident Steven Maiden said of the incident.
Read more at Click 2 Houston.
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