Crimesider
Crimesider
November 28, 2012 1:27 PM

Mallory Owens, Ala. woman, denies being beaten because she's gay

By
Crimesider Staff
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Daily Blotter

Travis Hawkins Jr.

/ WHNT

(CBS/AP) MOBILE, Ala. - Mallory Owens, a gay woman who was attacked and beaten, tells WKRG-TV the assault on Thanksgiving night was not a hate crime, despite some claims that it was, including by her own mother.

Owens' mother, Kristi Taylor, had pressed for more charges in the attack, saying it occurred because of her daughter's sexual orientation. A civil rights group on Tuesday urged a federal review of the case.

Authorities say 18-year-old Travis Hawkins Jr. has been charged with second-degree assault for the incident at Hawkins' home in Mobile. Hawkins is the brother of a woman Owens is dating.

Owens was hospitalized with skull fractures, a broken jaw and severe swelling. Surgeons had to install metal plates in her cheek bones, CBS affiliate WHNT reports.

.According to WKRG-TV, family and supporters of Owens are pushing for Hawkins to be charged with attempted murder. However, friends of Hawkins also say it is not a hate crime, and that Hawkins and Owens just never got along.

Owens' family says Hawkins attacked Owens earlier this year with a pipe wrench, but they did not press charges in that incident, reports WHNT.

Hawkins is scheduled to be arraigned for the Thanksgiving incident on Dec. 10.



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