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Three Indicted on Misdemeanor Charges For Taking Turban From Head of Sikh Man

By Howard Friedman

In Yoncalla, Oregon last week, a state grand jury indicted three men accused of taking a turban off the head of a Sikh truck driver. The grand jury concluded that the defendants should be charged with third-degree theft and misdemeanor harassment. The AP reports, however, that the grand jury refused to indict defendants on the felony charge of intimidation. That crime requires that an assault be committed due to the perception of a person's race, color, religion, national origin or sexual orientation. Assault victim Ranjit Singh was also distressed that the value of his turban became relevant to the appropriate theft charge. Oregon statutes (ORS Sec. 164.043) define theft in the third degree as involving property with a value under $50. Singh says his turban is priceless.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on March 30, 2008 (boomark / email).