Victim of hate crime express empathy for attackers

A gay Denver man who was victim of an anti-gay assault said he has empathy for his alleged attackers, and would rather the two Arvada teens suspected of attacking him not face bias-motivated felony charges connected with the assault.

Joseph Murphy, 18, and Zachary Kocman, 19, admitted to attacking Anthony Pyles, 25, and his boyfriend at 52nd Avenue and Federal Boulevard July 18.

Murphy and Kocman were formally advised of the charges against them Aug. 9.

Both are charged with third degree assault ¬– a misdemeanor – as well as carrying out a bias-motivated crime – a felony. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison.

Both are currently out on bond.

“Honestly, I’d rather them not be charged with a hate crime,” Pyles said. “People make mistakes. I hope they learn their lesson and never do this to anybody else. But a felony goes on your record forever, I would know.”

Pyles, a Chicago native, was convicted in 2009 of possessing a controlled substance.

He said the teenagers should be prosecuted for the assault.

Crystal Middlestadt, executive director of the Colorado Anti-Violence Program, said she understands Pyles feelings and that her organization advocates for survivors of violent crimes to be allowed to determine appropriate justice.

“We don’t encourage people (to seek bias-motivated charges) one way or the other,” she said.

Middlestadt said bias-motivated hate crime charges aren’t always the best form of justice and there is no evidence supporting that the law acts as a deterrent.

“We need more creative responses,” Middlestadt said.

Current hate crime laws in Colorado provide no funds for training. The law is only a prosecutorial measure.

According to the Denver District Attorney’s arrest affidavit, Pyles and his boyfriend were walking on 52nd Avenue when Murphy and Kocman yelled “faggot” from their car as they drove by.

Pyles said he believes they were yelling the slur toward his boyfriend. Pyles then chased after the car and dumped his soda into the car.

That’s when the teenagers jump out of the car and chase the two gay men and beat Pyles.

Pyles gave police officers Murphy’s license plate.

Authorities traced the car to Murphy and Kocman who were later arrested after admitting to the attack and use of the anti-gay slurs.

At the hearing, Kocman and Murphy were assigned dates for preliminary hearings where a judge will determine if there is sufficient grounds to move the case to trial. They may choose to waive their right to a preliminary hearing and proceed directly to the plea phase of the case.

Kochman is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m., Sept. 1. Murphy’s preliminary hearing will be at 8:30 a.m., Sept. 14. Both hearings will be in Denver County Courtroom 2100.

Additional reporting by Matthew Pizzuti.

Correction: An earlier version of this story reported Murphy and Kocman beat both Pyles and his boyfriend. Pyles was the only victim.