Cyclist Gets Prison For Beating Driver With Lock In DC
WASHINGTON (AP) — A white bicyclist in Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to three years in prison for severely beating a black driver.
Maxim Smith, 25, was sentenced Tuesday after being convicted of offenses including assault with a dangerous weapon.
Authorities said Smith was slowly biking ahead of 35-year-old Ketchazo Paho last year; Paho tried to pass him and Smith smacked the car. Paho said he stopped, called 911 and grabbed Smith's bike to detain him.
Prosecutors said Smith then used his metal U-lock to beat Paho, who later required more than 20 stitches. Prosecutors called the attack a hate crime as Smith called Pahoa a racist slur, but the jury didn't reach a unanimous verdict on that. Smith's attorney said Smith was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine.
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