Police in New Jersey no longer suspect anti-black bias was at play in the vandalism of five predominantly black churches after they discovered the alleged suspect used to attend one of the churches he destroyed.
ABC7NY reports that on Saturday, police were alerted that five black churches in the Morristown-area were vandalized overnight. According to NJ.com, church members discovered broken stained glass windows and signs.
Police initially investigated the incident as a bias-related crime. However, upon discovering the suspect, 45-year-old Zuri C. Towns, once attended one of the churches he vandalized, police suspended the bias investigation.
In a statement obtained by NJ.com, police said, “As a result of the investigation, no evidence was obtained that would indicate this was a bias incident which legally requires purpose to intimidate a person or group based upon their protected class.”
Despite the fact that the police ultimately determined the crime was not a hate crime, incoming New Jersey governor Phil Murphy condemned the act as “cowardly” while pointing out it impacted African-American churches:
Disgusted by reported vandalism of African-American churches across Morristown. These cowardly acts will not shake our faith. They will renew our determination to come together as one NJ. -PM
— Phil Murphy (@PhilMurphyNJ) November 26, 2017
According to NJ.com, Towns was charged with four counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief and one count of third-degree criminal mischief.
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