Man faces civil rights charge in transgendered person attack
LAWRENCE, Mass. (AP) — A Lawrence man is facing a civil rights violation after police say he beat a transgendered person outside a social club who had been dancing with his wife.
Court records indicate 42-year-old Benjamin Espino was jailed without bail on Monday. He also faces a charge of battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon stemming from the early Saturday attack outside Ward 6 Social Club in Lawrence.
A witness told police Espino asked his wife why she was dancing with the transgendered person, whom he referred to using a slur.
The witness said Espino later punched and kicked the transgendered person and ripped off the person's clothes. The victim sought treatment at the hospital. Espino denied being involved in the incident, the Eagle-Tribune of Lawrence reported.
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Copyright 2016 The Gayly - 11/24/2016 @ 7:42 p.m.