We could be talking about a white male just as easily. Criminologists have historically cited two reasons to enhance penalty on certain types of crimes. One reason, research shows, is when a crime poses a threat to the larger society. Secondly, penalties are often enhanced when offenses are likely to be repeated. The James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act fits under both qualifications for penalty enhancement.
Research shows people who commit hate related murder start with lesser offenses.
Most actors usually had several prior hate crimes offenses on their records. As overall serious crime continued to decrease for the eighth consecutive year, hate crimes based on sexual orientation have continued to rise and increased 4.5 percent from 1998 to 1999. Nationally reported hate crime incidents based on sexual orientation have more than tripled since the FBI began collecting statistics in 1991 - comprising 16.7 percent, or 1,317, of all hate crimes for 1999. LGRL has documented over twenty murders in texas movtivated by sexual orientation since 1988. Create strong, clear and enforceable hate crime laws that will increase penalties for crimes motivated by prejudice or bias based on race, color, disability, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, gender, or sexual preference.