Matthew Francis Receives 2 Years In Prison For Stonewall Inn Hate Crime

Stonewall Attacker Gets Two Years For Hate Crime

Matthew Francis was sentenced to two years in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty to felony hate crimes committed last October at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, CBS News reports.

The 22-year old from Staten Island was arrested after beating and robbing 34-year old Benjamin Carver at the historic bar, which has been a monumental symbol for gay rights since June of 1969.

On October 3, 2010 Carver was using a urinal next to Francis, who asked what kind of bar the Stonewall Inn was. After replying that it was a gay bar, Francis reportedly responded with an anti-gay slur and said "I don't like gay people. Don't pee next to me."

He then demanded Carver handover his money. After Carver refused, Francis began to beat him to the floor while Francis's friend, Christopher Orlando, blocked the door.

Francis was facing up to eight years in prison before accepting a deal from Manhattan prosecutors.

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot