Man charged in assault of Asian American woman, 88, had prior hate crime charges dropped in plea...

A man arrested in San Francisco after allegedly assaulting an 88-year-old Asian American woman had hate crime charges against him dropped in 2021, the city’s district attorney’s office told NBC News.

Oakland resident James Lee Ramsey, 27, was taken into custody on July 21 for allegedly kicking the woman to the ground and assaulting her, according to a statement from the district attorney. He’s also accused of attacking a witness who was at the scene.

The woman was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Charges against Ramsey include several felonies: elder abuse, assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, and battery causing serious bodily injury, according to the DA. He’s also charged with misdemeanor battery for attacking the witness, as well as misdemeanor vandalism. He was not charged with a hate crime, but the DA said that could change since the investigation is ongoing.