“I’m here to kill a Mexican" — That, and other racist language, is what a man allegedly screamed before beating a tire shop owner and his 18-year-old son with a metal bar last week.
A suspect was ultimately apprehended and charged with aggravated assault and other drug and weapons-related crimes. But the charges do not include a hate crime enhancement, despite the crime appearing to be racially motivated, adding to frustrations around a state law that some prosecutors and legislators say is effectively unenforceable.
On this week’s episode of “Trib Talk,” Tribune reporter Courtney Tanner and state Sen.