FRC Shooting Suspect Indicted, But Not for Hate Crimes or Terrorism

AP
Adam Martin 690 Views Aug 22, 2012

Family Research Council president Tony Perkins called the shooting attack on FRC's office last week an act of terrorism, but on Wednesday a federal grand jury showed it didn't agree with him, indicting Floyd Corkins on weapons and assault charges. The indictment, which precedes Corkins' arraignment on Friday, found there was evidence enough to try him on a federal count of transporting a firearm across state lines, as well as the District of Columbia charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a handgun during a crime of violence, The Associated Press' Ben Nuckols reported. But Talking Points Memo's Ryan J. Reilly noted that the U.S. Attorney's Office wasn't ruling out the possibility of adding a hate crime enhancement, which under D.C. law would provide a stiffer penalty "for crimes motivated by political bias." Corkins reportedly said he didn't agree with the FRC's politics before he allegedly shot a security guard there. For now, though, he's being prosecuted like any old apolitical alleged gunman.

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