Judge refuses to reject the dismissal in Colorado Springs 'Hass Crime Hoax' case

Colorado Springs, Colorado (Krdo) – It was six months since three people were charged after they had supposedly launched a hate crime to help a black Colorado Springs candidate, the mayor Yemi Mobolade.

On Friday, a judge submitted an application for dismissal that signaled that the case is progressing and ultimately heard by a jury.

In April 2023, shortly before the mayoral elections in Colorado Springs, a video of a burning cross was sent to the media in front of the then campaign sign by Yemi Mobolade. The sign had also been painted with the “n-word”.

The event was accepted as a racist -motivated attack on Mobolade, who was a black candidate who ran against a white opponent.

According to court files, investigators believe that Derrick Bernard Jr., Ashley Blackcloud and Deanna West have staged the cross to invigorize sympathetic voters and to swing the election to Mobolades.

Court files also show that Bernard communicated with Mobolade before the alleged joke, although the citizen striker has now vehemently refused to know or participate in the plans.

In February, Bernard and Blackcloud submitted applications for dismissal due to violations of the first application. Both accused argued that there was never a “true threat” and that their staging is a protected political speech.

A judge refused to do both applications and believed that a jury could find that there was a “true threat”.

Mayor Mobolade will testify in Bernard's case on May 19 and 20.

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