MARY ANN BRAGG
PROVINCETOWN — Local police will ask an Orleans District Court magistrate for a final review of a June 30 incident involving a Connecticut man to determine whether a hate crime may have occurred, according to Provincetown police Sgt. Carrie Lopes.
Police also plan to close a second case involving a potential hate crime on Sept. 9 because of an impasse in communication with the alleged victim, off-Cape resident Richard Hall, Lopes said.
Hall said last night that his conditions for meeting with the police — such as having an advocate with him — were not met. "The impasse is because they would not work with me," Hall said.
On Sept. 9, rescuers treated Hall for facial wounds at 2:47 a.m. near Court and Commercial streets. Hall told police he had been attacked by three men, according to a police report. Hall refused to be taken to the hospital, the report states.
Hall said more recently that his injuries and state of mind warranted more attention.
No potential suspects in Hall's case have been identified, Lopes said. If Hall had cooperated with police in their ongoing investigation, a sketch artist could have drawn a likeness of his alleged assailants, she said.
Local police have been investigating three incidents this year as possible hate crimes. The third case is still under review, Lopes said.
Under state law, a hate crime is a criminal act that manifests bigotry, bias, animus or prejudice against a victim on account of the victim's race, religion, ethnicity, disability, sex, sexual orientation or age.
Mary Ann Bragg can be reached at mbragg@capecodonline.com.