Felony Hate Crime Charges for 3 in Anti-Gay Chicago Attack

On Jan. 10, 2010, Sean Little, Benjamin Eder and Kevin McAndrew were riding the CTA Red Line train when Little allegedly began verbally harassing and shoving a gay youth. Daniel Hauff, of Rogers Park, came to the youth’s aid, at which point Little allegedly began directing anti-gay slurs at Hauff and pushed him. Eder and McAndrew, who had been watching before, allegedly joined in the assault, calling Hauff a ‘stupid fa***t,’ and all three men began punching and bloodying Hauff’s face in front of train passengers, according to a release from Hauff’s attorney.

As the three men left the courtroom, they were immediately re-arrested and charged with felony hate crimes as a result of a review of the case by the State’s Attorney and the Chicago Police Department.

[ via Sun-Times ]