Homosexual man reported hate crime, now admits he lied

The AP reports:

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - A man who reported being beaten outside a Montana bar because he’s gay, drawing national attention, has pleaded guilty to filing a false police report after a video showed him causing his own injuries while horsing around.

Police say Joseph Baken claimed three men beat him early Sunday after he went into a Missoula bar, announced it was his birthday and asked if anyone knew where he could find a gay bar.

Photos of Baken’s badly bruised face were posted on an anti-homophobia Facebook page and other sites, and the case prompted widespread support from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Baken was charged after police received a video of him trying to do a backflip off a curb and hitting his face on the sidewalk. Lt. Scott Brodie says the decision to file charges was partially due to the fear and anger prompted by his claims.

Baken pleaded guilty Tuesday.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at August 09, 2012 10:47 AM | Send