Lynn man charged with hate crime after alleged xenophobia-fueled assault at Revere Beach
A Lynn man was arraigned Monday after an allegedly unprovoked weekend attack in Revere, in which officials say he told the victim of the assault to “go back to [their] country,” prosecutors said Tuesday.
According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, Revere and state police responded Saturday to a report of a fight near the Revere Beach MBTA Station. Upon arrival, officers said they found 28-year-old Jason Collura in a physical fight with another man in the middle of the street.
Prosecutors said that, according to the the second man, Collura approached the victim and his two friends as they walked from Revere Beach and asked “where they were from.” When the victim said, “America,” Collura allegedly responded that they weren’t “from here” and that they should “go back to [their] country.”
Collura then allegedly attacked the victim, leaving red marks on the man’s neck, according to officials. Prosecutors say that a bystander filmed the attack on a cell phone and that witnesses on the scene recommended to police that they take Collura away.
After separating the two men, police said they noticed that Collura was swaying as he stood and smelled like alcohol. They also noticed that the groin area of Collura’s pants were wet, according to officials.
Collura was arrested and taken to Revere Police station, during which time prosecutors say he repeatedly threatened police and spat on one officer as he was placed in a holding cell.
Collura was arraigned Monday in Chelsea District Court on charges of assault and battery to intimidate, civil rights violation, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace, according to officials.
Judge Matthew Nestor imposed bail at $2,500 and ordered Collura stay away from the victim in the event he is released. Nestor also revoked Collura’s open bail set as part of a pending larceny case in Boston.
Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley called Collura’s alleged behavior “disgraceful.”
“It has no place in civilized society, and we take some satisfaction in knowing that witnesses came forward to assist police in identifying the aggressor,” Conley said.
Collura’s defense lawyer, Richard Barrett, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.
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