Charges dropped for Marysville ex-student accused of racist threats

MARYSVILLE — Prosecutors have dropped a case against a Lake Stevens man accused of threatening students of color at Marysville schools via social media.

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According to a motion filed May 19, prosecutors dropped the charges because there was not “sufficient admissible evidence” to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Deputy prosecutor Jarett Goodkin did not immediately respond to a Herald reporter’s phone call for comment.

Richey’s attorney Jim Johanson said the charges were dropped because to meet the statute for a hate crime, the statement has to be against a specific person or group, and what Richey posted was too generalized.

Prosecutors “wouldn’t be able to prove it,” Johanson said Monday afternoon. “It was a really bad joke, and he learned it the hard way.”

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/charges-dropped-for-marysville-ex-student-accused-of-racist-threats/