AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Four men have been arrested and charged with two counts each of second-degree felony aggravated assault in the beating of a gay couple in Austin.
Police have charged Frank Macias, his brother Miguel Macias, Quinn O'Connor and Kolby Monell. All are in Travis County Jail with bonds set at $150,000.
Prosecutors could seek a hate-crime enhancement from a jury to first-degree felonies. Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore says she believes a strong case exists that Spencer Deehring and Tristan Perry were targeted for their Jan. 19 beatings because of their sexual orientations.
Deehring says the two were holding hands when a passing man made a derogatory comment. The two responded and Deehring says up to five men then attacked them using homophobic slurs.
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