Perpetrator Accused of Beating Sikh Man to Death Charged With Hate Crimes

Gilbert Augustin, the man accused of beating a 66-year-old Sikh man to death after a minor car crash this month in New York City, is now facing hate crime charges, Erin Nolan reports for the New York Times. Queens district attorney Melinda Katz said that Augustin was motivated by “rage inflamed by hate” and repeatedly called the victim, Jasmer Singh, who was wearing a turban as part of his faith, “turban man” before attacking him brutally. Augustin was initially charged with manslaughter and assault and the new charges filed against him on Tuesday included manslaughter and assault as hate crimes. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.