WTHR |Three get prison terms for Indiana cross-burning

Three get prison terms for Indiana cross-burning

Sandra Chapman/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - The US Justice Department says it will crack down on hate crimes in Indiana as two Muncie men go to prison for a cross-burning in the backyard of an African-American family.

The United States has come a long way since the 1960s - or has it?

In July 2008, Mary and Alea Pointer found a burnt cross in their backyard in a predominately white neighborhood in Muncie. It was the second cross-burning in the city in as many years.

"Because of my skin color. They did that because they do not want me here and they do not like what I represent," said Mary Pointer in a 2008 interview.

"As you compare us to some southern states, we meet or exceed the types and numbers of cases that they're working down there. For other divisions our size, we are in the top five in the country in regard to the number of civil rights matters that we're working," said Michael Welch, FBI special agent in charge.

The FBI currently has 30 open cases. With two Muncie cross-burnings solved, they're hoping to send a strong message.

Federal Prosecutors say 41-year-old Richard LaShure, his then 19-year-old son Richard Logue, and 19-year-old Aaron Latham will now spend at least a year in federal prison for their hate crime against the Pointers.

Kyle Shroyer, 21, got a similar sentence in 2006 for burning a cross at the home of biracial children.

The incidents have captured the attention of the United States Justice Department.

"When you have a father/son team involved in an act of unspeakable dimensions, it really raises issues about America," said Thomas Perez, US assistant attorney general.

Last week, President Obama signed new hate crime legislation. Perez says it will give federal and local law enforcement more tools to take care of America's unfinished business.

"Prosecuting bigots who have a cancer of the soul and want to divide our communities on racial and ethnic lines through horrific acts of violence," said Perez.

They say the first step to solving the problem is exposing it. Perez added:

"To ensure that violators are brought to justice and that we have full enforcement of our civil rights laws and every person in Indiana can take comfort in knowing they have equal opportunity and equal justice under very real principles that have real meaning to this state."

FBI Hate Crimes info