The apparently drunken man captured on video assaulting an airline passenger while shouting antigay slurs at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport on Thursday has been charged with disorderly conduct and simple assault. Police have not yet announced an intent to pursue hate-crime charges.
The alleged assailant is 27-year-old McCleish Christmas Benham of Shelbyville, Tenn., reports the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Benham faces Class-C misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and simple assault, which each carry a maximum fine of $500 and no jail time.
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In video of the incident, Benham can be heard telling a bystander "Queers! That's what I'm upset about." Pointing to a passenger in a pink shirt, Benham says "This faggot right here," then abruptly kicks the passenger in the groin and tries to punch him in the head.
According to a police report about the incident released Tuesday and published at Lone Star Q, Benham had already punched another passenger in the eye and called him a "San Frisco faggot" when that passenger tried to intervene while Benham was allegedly verbally harassing a female gate agent. The first victim was treated on the scene for an ankle injury.
The gate agent later told police that when Benham became verbally abusive, she asked if he had been drinking. Benham allegedly replied "Yes 100 drinks."
Dallas Airport Attacker Unlikely to Face Hate Crime Charges | Advocate.com
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