The Daily Times:
Carol Ann Stutte and her partner, Laura Stutte, are afraid to return alone to what is left of their Vonore home in Monroe County (Tennessee).
After being victims of an arson and having the word “queers” spray painted on their garage, the lesbian couple is fearful for their safety.
“We would love to stay (in the area),” Carol Stutte said Friday. “But we will never, never rebuild (on that property) again. I take someone with me constantly — one or two people to make sure I'm OK while I'm up there.”
Detective Travis Jones, with the Monroe County Sheriff's Department, said authorities aren't releasing many details about the fire — which happened Sept. 4 at about 10 p.m.
“It is an arson and we are continuing the investigation,” he said Friday. “There are people of interest in the case,” and authorities, including the state Bomb and Arson Squad, are still conducting interviews.
Well, for the time being, bigotry seems to have won the day in driving the Stuttes from their home, but perhaps the ugliness of the incident will serve to open some eyes in the community. I hope that the authorities pursue the case vigorously and bring the arsonist or arsonists to justice.
H/T to Jim Burroway at Box Turtle Bulletin.
This is Louisiana? Are hate crimes against LGBTs even, well, crimes (in terms of prosecution) there?
ReplyDeleteIs anyone doing anything (like $$$$) for Mrs & Mrs Stutte?
JCF, sorry. My bad. The arson happened in Tennessee. I fixed the post to make the location clear.
ReplyDelete