Man faces hate crime charge after incident with Taylor

[crazy_scar_man]

This makes me wonder about the future of humanity.

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- The man charged with assaulting Miami Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor faces hate crime charges, police said Monday.

Redmond Charles Burns, 24, allegedly used racial epithets and yelled obscenities at Taylor, who is black, during an alleged highway confrontation Sunday night. Taylor told police that Burns grabbed his shirt, ripping it in several places, and suffered a "minor laceration" on a forearm from a metal object Burns allegedly used to attack him.

Taylor, who played in a charity golf tournament Monday in Tampa, said in a statement issued by the Dolphins that his injury was minor.

"My wife and I were the victims in an unfortunate incident last night, but we are both fine," Taylor said.

Burns, who is white, faces charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, which police have also classified as a hate crime that would permit tougher penalties. Burns also is charged with obstruction for allegedly resisting arrest after Taylor identified him from a photo array.

According to Davie police, Taylor and his wife, Katina, were on their way home from church Sunday evening when Taylor saw a red pickup truck backing up at an intersection in the path of his car.

As Taylor attempted to pass, the driver of the pickup "intentionally swerved directly at Taylor" and caused him to run off the road.

The passenger in the truck, who wasn't charged, allegedly got out and started to bang on the hood of Taylor's trunk. The 6-foot-6, 255-pound Taylor then got out of his car and was confronted by the 5-foot-11, 168-pound Burns, who was allegedly yelling racial insults and threatening to kill Taylor, according to a police report.

After grabbing Taylor's shirt, Burns allegedly went back to his truck, got an "unknown metal object" and tried to stab Taylor with it. Taylor suffered a minor wound to his left forearm but declined medical treatment.

Both men then jumped back in the truck and took off, with Taylor following and dialing 911. He lost the truck in a trailer park but was able to identify Burns from a photo lineup that police provided.

[crazy_scar_man]

That dude must be crazy:

"The 6-foot-6, 255-pound Taylor then got out of his car and was confronted by the 5-foot-11, 168-pound Burns"

[YoFuggedaboutit]

That racist skinhead piece of shit.  What did he think he was doing?  Well, it don't matter now.  He's gonna spend a long time in the slammer after being charged with a hate crime.  Maybe he's a Broncos fan.  That would be cool if him and D_B were cellmates.

[Philly Fin Fan]

Maybe he's a Broncos fan.  That would be cool if him and D_B were cellmates.

Not a necessary remark.

[Philly Fin Fan]

That dude must be crazy:

"The 6-foot-6, 255-pound Taylor then got out of his car and was confronted by the 5-foot-11, 168-pound Burns"

That was my favorite line in the whole article as well!

[EDGECRUSHER]

Taylor has been the victim of some racist stuff in the past because his wife is white. I think hate crime laws are very stupid, but I won't cry if this douchebag gets a longer sentence because of hate crime laws.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Taylor has been the victim of some racist stuff in the past because his wife is white. I think hate crime laws are very stupid, but I won't cry if this douchebag gets a longer sentence because of hate crime laws.

I've dated black girls before and I don't think it's a big deal.  If someone wants to make such a fuss out of interracial relationships, that's their problem.  What happened to JT is unacceptable and the guy who did it deserves whatever is coming to him.   If I had been in JT's shoes, I would've beaten that guy sensless.

[crazy_scar_man]

If I had been in JT's shoes, I would've beaten that guy sensless.

This just shows what kind of man Taylor is. This wouldn't have been a simple AP article if he had. And you know what's sad? Taylor probably would've lost a big lawsuit if he did.

He was the better man today... taking a high road many of us would have had trouble following.

[Frimp]

This just shows what kind of man Taylor is. This wouldn't have been a simple AP article if he had. And you know what's sad? Taylor probably would've lost a big lawsuit if he did.

He was the better man today... taking a high road many of us would have had trouble following.

I agree with that. That punk is lucky JT did the right thing.

[crazy_scar_man]

That punk is lucky JT did the right thing.

It probaby would've been pretty easy for me. That guy was about my size. If he ran me and my wife off the road and then got out with a metal object, I would've been outta there in a heartbeat. But if I was a 6 foot 6 bad ass who crushes people for a living... who knows.

[run_to_win]

This just shows what kind of man Taylor is. This wouldn't have been a simple AP article if he had. And you know what's sad? Taylor probably would've lost a big lawsuit if he did.

He was the better man today... taking a high road many of us would have had trouble following.

I agree.

Hey!  Was that a pig that just flew by my window? 

[Frimp]

It probaby would've been pretty easy for me. That guy was about my size. If he ran me and my wife off the road and then got out with a metal object, I would've been outta there in a heartbeat. But if I was a 6 foot 6 bad ass who crushes people for a living... who knows.

It would have been pretty hard for me. I'm not a violent person, but if someone cuts me, I'm not responsible for my reaction.