Third defendant pleads guilty to beating Navajo man

Friday, May 4, 2007  

The third defendant in the racially-motivated beating case of a Navajo man in Farmington, New Mexico, has pleaded guilty.

Freddie Brooks, 21, admitted to his role in the kidnapping, robbery and assault of William Blackie. He said he kicked Blackie and threw items at him in an incident last June that heightened racial tensions in the border community.

Brooks, however, did not admit to acting out of hate. It will be up to a judge to determine whether he violated the state's Hate Crimes Act.

John Winer, 18, was the first to plead guilty. He was 17 at the time of the attack and was considered the ringleader. He admitted he was motivated by race. He received seven years for his crime.

C.L. Carney, 21, also admitted guilt. He awaits sentencing.

Get the Story:
Third hate crime suspect pleads guilty (The Farmington Daily Times 5/4)

Relevant Links:
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org
Navajo Nation Council - http://www.navajonationcouncil.org

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