BISMARCK (AP) -- A proposal for harsher criminal penalties for racially motivated assaults and attacks on gays and lesbians has been defeated in the North Dakota Senate.
Bismarck Sen. Margaret Sitte said the "hate crimes" measure would require prosecutors to prove what was in an attacker's mind during an assault. She says local state's attorneys already have the laws they need to prosecute beatings.
Sitte said the bill was "so broad that almost anyone could allege discrimination" to have someone prosecuted for a hate crime.
Senators defeated the legislation 37-10 on Tuesday.
Fargo Sen. Carolyn Nelson said the bill needed more work, but she said she supported its underlying anti-discrimination message. She says North Dakota has racial minorities and gays and lesbians, and "they should all be treated equally."
