(WWJ) A warrant request for a man who flew a Ku Klux Klan flag in the window of his suburban Detroit home has been denied.
However, prosecutors say that doesn't mean no harm was done.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, the afternoon of Feb. 16, 57-year-old JeDonna Dinges, who is Black, saw a KKK flag displayed in her 31-year-old neighbor’s side window on Wayburn St. in Grosse Pointe Park.
The flag was clearly visible to Dinges and her family from their dining room, prosecutors said, put on display about a month after Dinges said she found a full gas can inside her garbage container and was concerned for the safety of herself and her family.
After that incident, Dinges installed a security camera, and the flag was displayed across from the camera.
A complaint was made, police began investigating, and a protest was held in support of Dinges and her family.
After a thorough review of the facts and evidence, the prosecutor's office said Tuesday it has been determined that there is insufficient evidence to charge Ethnic Intimidation or any other charge in the case.
Michigan Ethnic Intimidation Statue, MCLA 750.147b requires that there must be physical contact, damage, destruction, defacement of property, or threats to do so.
“There is absolutely no question that what happened to Ms. Dinges was despicable, traumatizing, and completely unacceptable. But, very unfortunately in my view, not a crime. The KKK flag, while intending to be visible to Ms. Dinges, was hanging inside of her neighbor’s house. We could not even begin to charge Ethnic Intimidation under current Michigan law. I strongly encourage the Michigan Legislature to look, revise, and create laws to protect citizens from this kind of horrible conduct,” said Worthy.
The name of the person accused of hanging the flag will not be released, as no charges were filed.
Related
