TL/DR –
Michael Cassidy, a man who beheaded a statue put up by the Satanic Temple in Iowa, has been charged with a felony under the state’s hate crime statutes. Cassidy, who was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for Mississippi’s state House of Representatives, is accused of third-degree criminal mischief in violation of individual rights. The prosecutor’s office stated that Cassidy admitted to destroying the statue due to the victim’s religion.
Man Charged With Hate Crime for Destroying Satanic Temple Statue at Iowa State Capitol
A man who beheaded a Satanic Temple statue at Iowa’s Capitol has been charged with a hate crime under state law, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Michael Cassidy, former Republican candidate for Mississippi’s House of Representatives, has been charged with third-degree criminal mischief in violation of individual rights announced the Polk County Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors claim that Cassidy admitted to destroying the statue due to religious prejudice. The enhanced charge is a class D felony under Iowa’s hate crime laws.
Cassidy, previously charged with a misdemeanor, ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for Mississippi State House District 45. His campaign presented him as a Christian conservative.
Days after the incident, Cassidy appeared on Fox News labeling his act as “Christian civil disobedience.” He expressed his offense at the statue and referred to its decapitation as “righteous indignation.”
The Satanic Temple’s Iowa representative, Minister Mortimer Adramelech, stated that the organization met all requirements to display the statue during the holidays. The Satanic Temple, which does not believe in Satan or the supernatural, encourages “effective and artful protest.”
The statue, featuring the winged goat-headed creature Baphomet, was beyond repair according to the county prosecutor. The Polk County Attorney’s Office strives for fair resolutions, applying the law to all individuals, regardless of religion, race, sexual orientation, or economic status.
Baphomet is historically tied with the Knights Templar, who faced accusations of worshipping it by Philip IV of France according to Encyclopedia Britannica. The Templars were infamously burned at the stake for their supposed loyalty to the pope over their king.
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