BALTIMORE (AP) — A man and two teenagers have pleaded not guilty in what authorities describe as the racially motivated beating of an elderly black fisherman.
Attorneys for 28-year-old Calvin Lockner, 16-year-old Emmanuel Miller and 17-year-old Zachary Watson entered the pleas Monday morning in Baltimore Circuit Court. The three defendants appeared in jail jumpsuits and shackles and did not speak. A trial date was set for Dec. 11.
Police say the three beat 76-year-old James Privott in an unprovoked attack last month as he fished in a waterfront park in south Baltimore. Lockner is a member of white supremacist groups and told police the attack wouldn’t have happened if the victim had been white.
Lawyers for the two teens are trying to have their cases moved to juvenile court.
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See previous story on defendants’ arrest.