Breaking News:

CRIME, POLICE + COURTS

Lawyer rips Idaho prosecutor for not charging 18-year-old man, who allegedly yelled racist and sexual slurs at U. women’s basketball players

May 10, 2024, 6:00 PM

Police in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, detain people pulled from a U-Haul truck near the city's Pride cele...

Police in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, detain people pulled from a U-Haul truck near the city's Pride celebration, on June 11 (Photo courtesy of Georji Brown)

(Photo courtesy of Georji Brown)

SALT LAKE CITY — A northern Idaho prosecutor won’t bring hate-crime charges against an 18-year-old man accused of shouting racist and sexual slurs at members of the University of Utah women’s basketball team during the NCAA Tournament on March 21.

In 2022, 21 hate and antigovernment groups were tracked in Idaho

After an investigation, the Coeur d’Alene Police Department determined that “Anthony Richard Myers, a student at Post Falls High School, made the offensive statement containing the racial slur, to which he subsequently confessed during interviews with law enforcement,” Ryan S. Hunter, chief deputy city attorney, wrote in a charging decision May 3, as reported by Coeur d’Alene/Post Falls Press.

Coeur d’Alene prosecutor: No charges in racial incident involving University of Utah basketball team

“Our office shares in the outrage sparked by Anthony Myers’s abhorrently racist and misogynistic statement, and we join in unequivocally condemning that statement and the use of a racial slur in this case or in any circumstance,” Hunter wrote.

“However, that cannot, under current law, form the basis for criminal prosecution in this case.”

Prosecutors ultimately decided they lacked sufficient evidence to bring charges against Myers. 

Idaho’s hate crime law only makes racial harassment a crime if it is done with the intent to either threaten or cause physical harm to a person or their property. The man who shouted the slur told police he did it because he thought it would be funny, Hunter wrote as reported by NBC News.

How are racist and sexual slurs funny?

KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas discusses details of the case and what is and isn’t protected speech with Dave and Debbie.

“I just don’t see how any reasonable person in America in 2024 can find those types of racial comments and the sexual comments that were made to be anything except threatening and offensive. I mean there’s nothing funny about them,” Skordas said.

He added that the age of the man accused of shouting the slurs may have been a factor in prosecutors’ decision not to bring charges.

“Maybe it is some concession that this is an 18-year-old high school kid who probably has learned his lesson. Hopefully, he doesn’t think he’s still funny, and his name is now been disclosed.

“Maybe there will be some repercussions there. Maybe he will learn something. Maybe he’ll he’ll apologize and become a different person,” Skordas said.

What about freedom of speech?

Where does the First Amendment protection of free speech end and a hate crime begin?

“If he makes those thoughts in some sort of written statement or just says them publicly, not directed at any person, I guess arguably that’s free speech.

“But these are directed to people, these are directed to a group of black women who are there just to play basketball, and they’re there minding their own business,” Skordas said.

“It’s not free speech anymore. It becomes intimidating speech. It becomes harassing speech, and it probably becomes at least misdemeanor offense.”

Related:

No charges filed in racist incident against Utah’s women’s basketball team; NAACP responds


Dave & Dujanovic can be heard weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. on KSL NewsRadio. Users can find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app, as well as Apple Podcasts and Google Play. 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Crime, Police + Courts

FILE – Weber County Sheriff's Office vehicle....

Michael Houck

Weber County deputy on administrative leave after arrest for domestic incident

A deputy with Weber County Sheriff's Office is on administrative leave after being arrested for allegedly hitting his wife while intoxicated in January.

3 days ago

DANIEL WOODRUFF

Some DUI convicts in Utah may have ‘no alcohol sale’ stamped on ID under new bill

SALT LAKE CITY – A proposal in the Legislature would require certain Utahns convicted of DUI to carry a special driver’s license stating they are not allowed to buy alcohol. HB437, sponsored by Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, advanced unanimously Wednesday out of the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee. It moves to the full […]

4 days ago

FILE - The company logo shines off the hood of a 2021 K5 sedan on display in the Kia exhibit at the...

SHELBY LOFTON

Kias in North Salt Lake now the target of vehicle break-ins, thefts

Another Utah neighborhood is being targeted for kia vehicle thefts. This time, police said the cars are often leaving them in driveways damaged.

4 days ago

Taylorsville shooting...

Mary Culbertson

2 seriously injured in Taylorsville shooting, prompting ‘hold’ protocol at 10 schools

Multiple schools in the Granite School District were put on "hold" status after two injured in a Taylorsville shooting.

4 days ago

judge retention bill...

Adam Small

Utah bill proposes 67% vote requirement for judicial retention

Under current Utah law, a simple majority is needed in the general election for judicial retention.

5 days ago

A Uintah County woman is accused of putting Borax in her children's water, allegedly to help their ...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Utah woman accused of putting Borax in her children’s water

Prosecutors say since the beginning of the school year in August, the suspect, Barbara Susan Williford, 47, "had been putting a pinch of Borax in her minor child's water."

6 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Filing taxes online using a computer...

The Law Offices of Jordan F. Wilcox

Tax time is approaching. What to do if you have debilitating IRS debt

Is the IRS threatening you with wage garnishment, asset seizure or business closure? Here are some ideas to resolve your tax dilemma.

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

Lawyer rips Idaho prosecutor for not charging 18-year-old man, who allegedly yelled racist and sexual slurs at U. women’s basketball players