SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) — An Exeter man police say was caught on surveillance video directing an obscenity-laced anti-Muslim tirade at a convenience store clerk on Christmas Eve will not face hate crime charges.
Police tell WPRI-TV that the South Kingstown town lawyer has ruled that hate crime laws don’t apply to “petty misdemeanors” like Thomas Giese’s outburst on Dec. 24.
Giese told police he consumed “approximately 10 drinks” before threatening the clerk’s life and screaming “we don’t want Muslim stores in our neighborhood,” among other insensitive messages.
Police say hate crime laws require a targeted victim and law enforcement felt Giese’s actions didn’t fulfill that requirement.
The tirade reportedly stemmed from the clerk’s inability to help Giese hail a cab.
Giese faces disorderly conduct charges. A phone number for him could not be located.
