Man Accused Of Using Racial Slur Before Attack On Woman Formally Charged

DENVER (CBS4) - A man police believe attacked a woman in what the victim claims was a racially-motivated assault has been formally charged.

According to Lynn Kimbrough with the district attorney's office, Christopher Derby, 27, has been charged with bias-motivated crime and third-degree assault.

Jacqueline Fitzpatrick, 23, was attacked on South Broadway early in the morning on July 25 while she and her friends waited for an Uber ride. That's when two Caucasian men approached them.

CBS4's Tom Mustin interviews the victim in an attack (credit: CBS)

"The charges allege that Derby approached the group and then assaulted the victim because of her race. The victim suffered a laceration requiring stitches as a result of the attack," Kimbrough said in a statement.

"I stood up to try and get them to go away. That's when he hit me and I don't remember much after that," Fitzpatrick told CBS4.

Derby has an extensive criminal history that includes several arrests for domestic assault. Detectives say although Derby does have a violent past, he doesn't have any ties to racist groups.

Derby remains in custody on a $5,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday for his second advisement on the charges.