Prosecution in BLM Mural case in Santa Cruz pursuing hate crime allegation

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) After 20-year-old Brandon Bochat and 19-year-old Hagan Warner were arrested and charged for felony vandalism and conspiracy to commit a felony, the prosecution is planning to pursue felony vandalism with a hate crime allegation.

You can add a hate crime violation to it if it’s done to essentially interfere or damage a protected class….in this case, obviously race," said Michael Mahan, Assistant District Attorney.

The preliminary hearing is taking place in December 13th. In this case, they're pursuing a hate crime allegation instead of a charge for hate crime because the vandalism towards a mural painted by a community instead of a hate crime directed towards a specific individual.

It’s usually done when it’s directed towards a person a threat of violence or damage to property of a 
specific person that falls under the protected classes,” said Mahan.

But, community members feel this isn't enough. Taylor Reinhold from the SC Equity Collab, the organization that helped resurrect the mural is in favor of a more hands on approach with the two individuals with restorative justice.

"Putting them into the system isn't going to fix what has been done to the community...getting everyone out together in the same place, in a safe space and helping fix what they destroyed," said Reinhold.

The mural has yet to be repaired. KION did reach out to the defense but did not receive a response.