Niagara police rule out hate as motivating factor in St. Catharines assault

Niagara police say detectives have found that hate was not a motivating factor in the assault of a gay man in downtown St. Catharines last weekend, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of the question.

This past Saturday night, a 25-year-old man was walking through St. Paul Street when police allege he started a verbal altercation with some people.

“That verbal altercation turned into a physical altercation, at which point the victim suffered substantial injuries,” said Niagara Police Const. Richard Hingley.

Officers allege 41-year-old Samantha Jacobs and 36-year-old William Rider assaulted the 25-year-old.

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The victim’s mother, Lis McCoy, identified him as Carson Macdonald, who she says was beaten unconscious.

This week, social media posts, including from Pride Niagara, indicated that the assault may have been a hate crime, stemming from the fact that Carson is gay.

Police said Wednesday that detectives have submitted that hate was not a motivating factor in the assault, but it’s not out of the question.

“Through our investigation we have determined that hate is not the motivating factor in this, whether hate was a factor afterwards will be up to the crown attorney when it comes to sentencing,” said Hingley.

Officers say they were aware of social media posts about the incident during the investigation.

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“What we have found out within that initial information, there was a lot of misinformation, including the location, the time, and the number of suspects for example,” said Hingley.

Jacobs has been charged with assault causing bodily harm, while Rider was charged with aggravated assault.

McCoy says they are meeting with doctors, because his injuries will require plastic surgery.

She told CHCH News Tuesday that she was shocked by the level of violence her son endured.

“I want them prosecuted to the full extent — I mean, for this to happen is beyond anybody’s worst nightmare, especially a mother, and I would like to see justice for these people,” said McCoy. “I don’t want it to happen to anyone else again and I’m just thankful that they didn’t kill him.”

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