John Russell Howald, a resident of Basin, Montana, was convicted on federal hate crime and firearm charges after an attempted attack on a woman in the town’s LGBTQ community. Prosecutors argued that Howald threatened the woman with homophobic slurs and fired an AK-47 rifle at her house as part of his alleged mission to rid the small town of its LGBTQ population. The jury trial, which lasted for four days, found Howald guilty of both charges. His defense team is planning to appeal.
According to prosecutors, Howald was armed with three rifles and two pistols when he attempted to kill the woman in March 2020. He allegedly said that he wanted to “get rid of the lesbians (and) gays” in the town. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division called the attack part of an “epidemic” of violence targeting individuals based on their sexual orientation. Howald faces a maximum of life in prison on the hate crime charge, and his sentencing is scheduled for June 15.
The case has drawn attention to the issue of hate crimes and discrimination against the LGBTQ community in small towns across the United States. In addition to his federal charges, Howald is currently serving a 10-year sentence in Montana State Prison for a state charge of criminal endangerment stemming from the 2020 shooting. He has a history of violent behavior, having been sentenced to two years in prison in 2006 for felony aggravated animal cruelty.
The conviction of Howald is being seen as a victory for LGBTQ rights advocates, who have long fought against discrimination and hate crimes in the United States. However, many argue that much more needs to be done to protect vulnerable communities from violence and hatred. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in the country.
