A prosecutor in northern Idaho has decided not to bring hate crime charges against an 18-year-old accused of shouting a racist slur at members of the Utah women’s basketball team during the NCAA Tournament. The decision was based on the lack of evidence suggesting that the man was threatening physical harm to the women or their property, thus falling under First Amendment protection.
The incident occurred when the basketball team was staying at a Coeur d'Alene hotel in March. As the team members were walking from the hotel to a restaurant, a truck drove up, and the driver yelled a racist slur at the group. The same driver returned later, accompanied by others, revving their engines and yelling again at the players, causing distress among the team members.
