Massachusetts: Family arraigned on hate crime charges

WORCESTER— Three family members were arraigned yesterday on charges stemming from an alleged assault last summer that police are categorizing as a hate crime motivated, at least in part, by an anti-gay bias.

A lawyer for one of the suspects said, however, that the event in question was nothing more than “a dispute between a landlord and a former tenant.”

Roger P. West Sr., 67, and his daughter, 40-year-old Penny G. West, are accused of forcing their way into a man’s Institute Road apartment Aug. 30. Ms. West allegedly struck and pushed the man while using anti-gay epithets and what investigators referred to as “hate language” with the intent to intimidate because of what she perceived as his sexual orientation.

The father and daughter are also accused of punching another man in the apartment in his face and body. Mr. West’s son, Roger P. West Jr., 45, is also alleged to have assaulted and directed anti-gay epithets at the first man with the intent to intimidate, according to police accounts.

The elder Mr. West was arraigned yesterday morning in Central District Court on charges of breaking and entering with intent to commit a misdemeanor and assault and battery.

Ms. West was arraigned on charges of assault and battery, breaking and entering with intent to commit a misdemeanor, and assault and battery with intent to intimidate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.

Roger P. West Jr. was arraigned on a charge of assault with intent to intimidate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.

Judge Robert W. Gardner Jr. released all three on personal recognizance and continued their cases to May 7.

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