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Gay Bashing Victim Doesn't Care That Attacker Is Gay
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Apr 3, 2011
Modified Apr 3, 2011
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By
Jaya Saxena
Published Apr 3, 2011
Modified Apr 3, 2011
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Yesterday, police arrested 21-year-old Anthony Bray in connection with a brutal West Village gay bashing that left victim Damian Furtch with two black eyes and needing multiple stitches. Furtch claims his attackers yelled anti-gay slurs while beating him, but Bray also claims to be gay. However, Furtch rightly says that it makes no difference what his attacker's sexual orientation is, because "hate crime" or not it was still a crime: "The fact that the attacker in custody alleges he is gay does not change the fact that he shouted anti-gay slurs while attacking me," Furtch says. "I look forward to the criminal trial where all of the accurate details will come out."
Bray has been charged with misdemeanor assault, but cops haven't ruled out hitting him with hate crime charges. However, while Furtch claims Bray's attack was unprovoked, Bray says the two exchanged words in the West Village McDonald's and that Furtch "disrespected" him. One police source said, "It might come down to two guys having a fistfight." Police are still looking for the second assailant.
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anthony bray
damian furtch
gay bashing
hate crime
west village
Jaya Saxena
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