Freese Convicted of Hate Crime

A jury in Merrimack County Superior Court has convicted Donald Freese, 21, of felony criminal threatening, second-degree assault and accomplice to simple assault, in what prosecutors called a racially motivated hate crime against a Manchester man outside of the Market Basket in Hooksett, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader.

Freese and others were accused of shouting racially offensive words at the man, who was riding his moped on Route 3A, in July 2012.

After the man confronted Freese and others about their language, they got out of their car, pulled the man off his moped, and beat him up.

Freese brandished a knife in the attack and slashed the man. He is expected to be sentenced sometime in late February or early March and could face a number of years behind bars. 

Nottingham man Joshua Peno, 21, who is also facing charges in the case, will be tried in March.