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Thursday, July 17, 2008

Man Sentenced in Farmington Motel Attack


Associated Press
      FARMINGTON — An Arizona man has been sentenced to nine months in the San Juan County jail in a September attack that prosecutors allege was prompted by a belief the victim was gay.
    Craig Yazzie, 38, of Dennehotso, Ariz., was sentenced Tuesday after pleading no contest to reduced charges of false imprisonment and battery in the beating of Matthew Shetima. State District Judge John Dean also sentenced Yazzie to a six-month inpatient alcohol treatment program once he's released from jail.
    A hate crime sentencing enhancement was dropped in the plea bargain.
    "The state told me that he grabbed the victim, dragged him in the room and helped hit him," Dean said.
    Police allege Scott Thompson, Jerry Paul and Yazzie pulled Shetima into a motel room in Farmington and began to punch and kick him, calling him names.
    Prosecutors believe Thompson, 22, of Farmington was the ringleader. He was convicted of second-degree kidnapping and misdemeanor battery, but the jury decided the attack did not target the victim's sexual orientation.
    Dean on Tuesday ordered a 60-day evaluation for Thompson.
    Paul, 41, of Shiprock, also has pleaded no contest to false imprisonment and aggravated battery, and will be sentenced in October. The plea bargain for Paul also dropped the hate crime charge.
    Shetima was not present during sentencing, but the court read a statement from him in which he said, "To feel normal and happy has gone from me."

Copyright ©2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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