When will hate crimes be prosecuted beyond animal cruelty?

In an attempt to stop his neighbor from stealing and subsequently killing his cat, a Vian, OK man was struck by and “allegedly” run over by a truck. This incident took place on August 25, 2012 at the victim’s home in Vian.

The victim, Baulaver Driscoll, said four of his domestic cats had gone missing in the past week before the incident. Driscoll told the Gayly he suspected his neighbor of killing the cats. Driscoll and his partner, Stacy Presley, claim the neighbor, identified as Don Skinner, constantly threaten and harass them with anti-gay comments. “He always carries a gun and points it at us on an almost daily basis,” said Presley.

Driscoll said he was on his front porch looking for his black and white cat, Boo, when the neighbor, identified as Don Skinner, came out of his house with a gun in his hand and went to start his truck. Driscoll stated on his police report, “He opened the door on his truck, sat down, started the truck and then got out of the truck with his gun under his armpit. He went to his porch and lifted a cage with our cat, Boo, in it.” At that point, Driscoll opened the door to his house, told Presley, to “call the cops,” and slammed the door to run after the cat.

Skinner jumped into the truck, accelerated, hitting Driscoll. He was thrown into the windshield, head first. Driscoll tried to hold on but couldn’t and Skinner sped away.

Paramedics and the police arrived 20 minutes later. Upset at seeing his injured partner lying on the ground, Presley said he was threatened with a taser from one of the Vian police officers for using “the ‘F’ word” in their presence.

Driscoll was transported to the hospital for examination. He was treated and later released; suffering a concussion, possible torn ligaments, and multiple contusions.

According to the police report, after leaving the scene of the accident, Skinner drove to the police department and admitted he had taken the cat. He claimed Driscoll had attacked his truck and threw himself on the hood, breaking his windshield. Skinner claimed he was taking the cat “to a friend’s place where it could be taken care of [killed].” At this time no arrests have been made.

Skinner runs religious missions in Tahlequah and Webbers Falls, OK and owns a small business in Sallisaw. He is also a former police officer. The Gayly attempted to contact Skinner by phone, but the calls went to voicemail.

We also contacted Police Chief Alan Ellis on Sept 5, to get a comment, but he said they would not comment on an ongoing investigation and referred me to their city attorney who told us he did not have any information regarding this incident as the investigation was not complete.

Driscoll had contacted associate district attorney, Ms. Stacey Slaughter to give a statement because he felt the Vian Police Dept. would not do anything about the incident. However, upon contacting the DA’s main office in Sallisaw, Sequoyah County, the Gayly was told they had not received any police investigation report on this and would not be able to do anything until a report had been received.

“In our area there are a lot of gay people, but they’re so afraid to let it be known they’re gay and they live in fear. I can see why because no one ever does anything in your favor or to protect your rights. We’re not asking for special rights, just equal rights,” said Presley.

We also contacted Slaughter’s office, but were told she was unavailable for comment. Later Driscoll notified us that he had met with ADA Slaughter and she told him that the only charges she might be able to file would be disposing of the cat.

Cimarron Alliance director, Scott Hamilton, has referred this case to the Oklahoma City office of the FBI. When asked whether the FBI would follow through on this investigation, Hamilton replied, “I’d stake my job on it. I have every confidence in their ability to investigate this incident. This has been my experience over the last two years.”