NEWBURGH, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — A 60-year-old man has been charged after an alleged racist road incident against an off-duty police lieutenant and his son was caught on camera in Newburgh last Saturday.
William Ryan was arrested on Tuesday and charged with second-degree menacing as a hate crime.
The incident began after Robert Mclymore said he was driving and slowed down to let someone turn. Ryan, the other driver behind him, allegedly grew impatient and passed. Mclymore said that Ryan then used the N-word and lunged at his car with a boxcutter.
"He put his hand on my son's window and he had a knife," Mclymore said. "He's like, 'I'll stab you, I'll stab you.'"
In the video, Ryan falsely claimed to be a state trooper.
Mclymore, a police lieutenant in Wallkill, said he believes his police training allowed him to keep his cool. He is also a minister and said it's important to follow his own teachings on forgiveness.
"On the spiritual side, if I'm going to teach forgiveness, then I need to show forgiveness and so I forgive him, but on the law enforcement side, and if things that happen, he does need to face the consequences for his actions," he added.
Mclymore said he forgives Ryan and wants to meet him.
"If there's something, any hatred, any bitterness or a situation that you feel that can't handle don't take it out on other people ... I forgive you that's really what I want to say," he continued. "Even though you've got to face these consequences I still forgive you."
Newburgh Police Chief Anthony Geraci condemned Ryan's actions in a statement.
"There is no place for hate in our community," Geraci said in a statement. "Mr. Ryan will be held accountable for his criminal actions and deplorable speech."
The chief added that his racist threats were "not only harmful to the victim in this case, but echoes deep within our city."
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