ADL Welcomes Guilty Verdict in Boulder Hate Crime

ADL Welcomes Guilty Verdict in Boulder Hate Crime, Applauds Boulder Law Enforcement

Boulder, CO, April 22, 2011 … The Anti-Defamation League’s Boulder Office applauds Thursday’s conviction of Joseph Owen Coy on felony hate crimes charges resulting from the September 2010 bias-motivated assault of a Nigerian man where noxious racial epithets preceded a brutal physical assault. ADL expressed gratitude to law enforcement and emphasized the need for a community united against acts of hate.

Amy M. Stein, Boulder Office Community Director, issued the following statement:

We are grateful to the Boulder Police Department and to the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office for investigating this crime and securing a conviction. As the first felony hate crimes conviction in Boulder County, it is a landmark step in sending the message that those who hate and act on that hate will be held fully accountable by this community.

“ADL further applauds law enforcement for the conviction of Coy’s co-defendant, Zachrey Harris, of bias-motivated harassment. Harris was the first person found guilty in Colorado of a misdemeanor hate crime that did not involve physical violence.

“With these convictions, our community declared that Boulder is no place for hate and that all should be welcome and safe. ADL calls upon all of Boulder County’s members to work for a truly safe and respectful Boulder for all.”

In September 2010, ADL condemned the racially-motivated violence in this case and urged law enforcement to prosecute the crime to the full extent permitted under Colorado’s hate crimes law and the City of Boulder’s Bias-Motivated Crimes Ordinance.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.