The case for hate crime charges against Kenneth James Gleason in the deadly shooting of two black men seems to have gotten stronger. The Associated Press reports that a search by the Baton Rouge Police Department of the alleged shooter’s home revealed a copy of an Adolf Hitler speech.
Authorities found a copy of the Hitler speech during a search of Gleason’s home over the weekend, according to the law enforcement official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.
Asked whether police suspect race was a motive for the shootings, Sgt. L’Jean McKneely said: “We’re not completely closed off to that. We’re looking at all possibilities at this time, so we’re not going to just pinpoint that.”
The copy alone doesn’t mean that his actions were racially motivated, but it definitely doesn’t help dispel doubt that he targeted black people. However, Vox notes that a hate crime charge wouldn’t do anything to worsen his punishment if they do pursue the death penalty.
The evidence certainly suggests that the shootings were hate crimes. Asked whether race was a motive, a spokesperson for the police department told the AP, “We’re not completely closed off to that. We’re looking at all possibilities at this time, so we’re not going to just pinpoint that.”
The local prosecutor, District Attorney Hillar Moore, said his office could pursue the death penalty. If so, additional hate crime charges wouldn’t do much to the case — since, after all, you can’t add a penalty further than death.
While an official hate crime label wouldn’t necessarily worsen Gleason’s punishment if he’s ultimately found guilty, the distinction could still be useful. With the current leadership in the White House, it’s especially important to see public recognition and condemnation of violence against people of color.