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Prosecutors have filed new hate crime charges against a white man accused of burning down three African-American churches in the US state of Louisiana.
Holden Matthews, 21, the son of a local sheriff deputy, learned of the new charges during a court appearance on Monday when he pleaded not guilty.
During the hearing, the judge denied his bond request due to a "substantial amount of evidence" against him.
Officials had not previously cited race as a possible motive.
Louisiana Fire Marshal Butch Browning said on Monday the suspect - who has no previous criminal record - should not be released because he presents "an immediate risk to public safety".
"In my mind, I felt another fire was imminent," Mr Browning said, describing the evidence investigators have found against Mr Matthews.
Holden Matthews, 21, the son of a local sheriff deputy, learned of the new charges during a court appearance on Monday when he pleaded not guilty.
During the hearing, the judge denied his bond request due to a "substantial amount of evidence" against him.
Officials had not previously cited race as a possible motive.
Louisiana Fire Marshal Butch Browning said on Monday the suspect - who has no previous criminal record - should not be released because he presents "an immediate risk to public safety".
"In my mind, I felt another fire was imminent," Mr Browning said, describing the evidence investigators have found against Mr Matthews.
US church arson suspect 'motivated by hate'
Posted from bbc.com
Racism
Crime
Opelousas
Law Enforcement
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
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There has to be more than what music he listens to to file "hate Crime" charges. If that's all they have its never going to fly. What I find interesting is there is no comments about "mental" illness or that he was examined. I know people are stupid but his father is a cop. So over the years he would have heard dad talk about evidence and how people go caught. If it was Hate then string him up but more is needed.
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