AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced Wednesday after a jury convicted him on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon related to a June 2022 incident on a CapMetro bus.
The jury found a hate crime allegation related to the assault true, according to the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.
The DA’s office said the jury believed 35-year-old George Johnson “intentionally selected the victim because of his bias against a group identified by sexual preference.”
Johnson was sentenced to serve five years in prison for each count. The sentences are expected to be served concurrently.
Surveillance video from the bus was presented as evidence at Johnson’s trial. In the video, he was seen approaching the victim randomly with a box cutter in his hand before slapping him in the face while making derogatory and homophobic comments at the victim.
“The Travis County District Attorney’s office does not tolerate acts of hate in our community, takes hate crimes seriously, and is committed to holding people who commit these crimes accountable,” said Travis County District Attorney José Garza. “Our office is grateful to our dedicated staff and law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to hold the defendant accountable and seek justice for the victim. We hope this verdict continues to help the victim with their healing journey.”
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