Trio Charged With Hate Crime in Houston Vendor Beating

HOUSTON (AP) _ Three men, all white, are jailed on a hate crime charge in the beating of a black suburban Houston ice cream vendor.

Meanwhile, the vendor says he’s recovering from the July 22 beating in northwest Harris County that left him with facial fractures and blurred vision.

Victor McDonald, 44, tells the Houston Chronicle he’s forgiven his assailants, but he can’t understand why he was attacked. In his words, “For God’s sake, I sell ice cream. What threat did I pose to them?”

Booked into the Harris County Jail are 36-year-old Dale Howell, 42-year-old Troy Elledge and 20-year-old Christopher Elledge. Each is charged with aggravated assault with a hate crime enhancement punishable by up to life imprisonment.

Bonds are set at $30,000 each. Court spokeswoman Mary Leal says none have attorneys yet.

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