New Jersey Gay couple gets day in court

By: E. Assata Wright
Reporter staff writer
Secaucus Reporter

Peter DeVries has waited four years to tell his story to a jury.

He and his romantic partner, Timothy Carter, have filed a civil rights lawsuit against the town of Secaucus, the Secaucus Volunteer Fire Department, and the local police department for violating their civil rights based on sexual orientation.

"Tim said, 'You've got to come hear this.'

"DeVries went to the first floor of their rented home on Schopmann Drive, which was located next to the North End Firehouse.

It was then that DeVries heard three men allegedly yelling, "Homo! Homo! Homo! We don't want you in this town. Come on out, you chicken[expletive]."

He said he then heard something he'll never forget: "We will kill you, you [expletive] faggots."

The threat, he testified, was repeated three times.

The three volunteer firefighters whom the plaintiffs allege were the ringleaders in the attack - Charles Snyder Sr., Charles Snyder Jr., and Charles Mutschler - testified on May 8 and 15.

On the stand, the firefighters invoked their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.

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