Teen Says He Was Dragged With Noose On Neck
Alternative content
Alleged Noose Attack
A local teen is recovering after he says a noose was placed around his neck and he was dragged.
NBC 4
A local teen is recovering after he says a noose was placed around his neck and he was dragged in a case of alleged ethnic intimidation.
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio—A local teen is recovering after he said a noose was placed around his neck and he was dragged in a case of alleged ethnic intimidation.
NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.
Robert Cantu said four people put a noose around his neck and dragged him from the sidewalk on South Main Street to an adjacent parking lot in May 2008.
“These guys were in the back of a truck with a noose and they jumped out and said, ‘Get the black kids’ and they all ran and then they said, ‘Get the spic.‘ So they jumped on me, pulled me down and put the noose on me,“ said Robert, who is a Latino.
Robert’s mother, Marcie Cantu, said they also told her son they were going to take him to a park to hang him.
Two of Robert’s friends and a passerby rescued the 17-year-old, Robert’s mom said.
She said they saved her son’s life.
“They would have killed him. They would have killed him. There’s no doubt in my mind,“ she said.
Assistant Prosecutor Charles T. McConville is handling the case said one person has been charged with ethnic intimidation.
He said it’s the first ethnic intimidation charge that anyone can remember in Knox County.
He wouldn’t comment further on the case because it’s an ongoing investigation.
A trial was scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday for suspect Dale Cline. Judge Ronk will preside over the court.
Marcie told NBC 4 McConville said Cline was expected to plead guilty.
Marcie said the incident is the second hate crime against her son. Last year, someone captured the beating of Robert on a cell phone.
She said her family has endured prejudice since they’ve lived in Mount Vernon.
The Cantu family said they want to bring attention to the issue so that hate crime will be taken seriously. They’ve contacted the anti-defamation league.
Marcie wanted to know why the charge isn’t attempted murder or assault and why others haven’t been charged.
She said more victims of ethnic violence need to speak up to prevent the same from happening to others.
“The police department doesn’t do anything, and if I would have done that to someone else, like a white kid, I would be in jail right now,“ Robert said.
The Mount Vernon police continued to investigate.
For additional information on this developing story, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com—Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail
.
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Are there white supremicist active in Mount Vernon? Unimaginable that youths would know a derogatory term like that without adults around them saying it. M V Convention and Visitors Bureau needs to do some diversity awareness fairs. It’s an embarassment to our great state.
Hair style has NOTHING to do with it.
Ignorance by the four others that needs to be addressed. This is nothing more than a hate crime. Sorry to know things like this still happen.
Mother should get son a real haircut and maybe he would not get picked on.
Sad there are people in this country that would harm someone this way.
Not to make light of a crime but he looks like a pretty big kid that should be able to kick some butt
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement