On December 7, 2015 at approximately 1314 hours the Burlington Police were called to the area of Church Street Market Place for a male, Christopher Hayden, menacing several individuals. It was reported that Hayden was making threats and racial slurs towards several individuals, based on their specific race and color.
When officers arrived in the area they located Hayden and observed first hand his behavior. After conducting an investigation it was determined that Hayden threatened to kill the victim identified as, Harold Judge while holding a screwdriver and using racial slurs.
Hayden was taken into custody and lodged at the correctional facility. He will be arraigned on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 for Simple Assault / Hate motivated
Crime, for attempting by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.
Hayden was charged with the following two statutes; the penalties that apply are attached.
T. 13 VSA 1023 – Simple Assault
(b) A person who is convicted of simple assault shall be imprisoned for not more than one year or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both, unless the offense is committed in a fight or scuffle entered into by mutual consent, in which case a person convicted of simple assault shall be imprisoned not more than 60 days or fined not more than $500.00 or both.
T.13 VSA 1455 – Hate Motivated Crimes
(1) If the maximum penalty for the underlying crime is one year or less, the penalty for a violation of this section shall be imprisonment for not more than two years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.
If anyone has information regarding this incident please contact Officer Michael Henry @ 540-2321. If anyone has information on this incident you can call the Burlington Police Department @802-658-2700, or Crime Stoppers @ 808-846-6666.
