Prosecutors hope to prove that a 1999 bar fight in which an African-American man was killed was a racially motivated hate crime when it goes to jury trial at the end of the month.
Paul Wayne King, 38, is charged with killing Brad Davis outside the Redwood City bar Shooters on Dec. 11, 1999. The victim was drinking with a white woman before he was killed. A jury trial for King begins Feb. 25. The date was postponed yesterday because a prosecution witness was not available for the original Feb. 19 start.
King, a Redwood City resident, has remained in custody in lieu of $2 million bail since his December 1999 arrest. He pleaded not guilty to all charges, including involuntary manslaughter, battery causing severe bodily harm and the commission of a hate crime.
The definition of a hate crime is one that causes either physical injury, emotional suffering or property damage and is motivated by race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or physical or mental disabilities.
King allegedly asked Davis to step outside the bar, and the victim was found later by his female friend, with his hands reportedly in his pockets. He later died of a head wound from falling to the sidewalk.
Defense attorney Connie O'Brien said during King's preliminary hearing that there was no actual evidence that King ever struck Davis or that his purported racial beliefs had anything to do with the victim's death.
However, prosecutor James Wade said the case against King is strong.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
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Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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