Virginia’s hate crimes statute resulted in Michael Woolls, 29, being convicted of attempting to assault and batter an Afghani immigrant and feloniously assaulting that victim’s Laotian friend by throwing a brick through a car window.
Circuit Judge Barnard Jennings found Woolls guilty in court in Alexandria on Oct. 25. “The attempted assault of Mr. Futuri would not be a felony without a statute which allows prosecutors to treat such violent acts, arising from hatred, seriously,” said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Erik Barnet.
Woolls faced three charges, attempted assault and battery, selecting the victim based on national origin, malicious wounding, throwing a missile into an occupied vehicle and misdemeanor destruction of private property.
Evidence showed that Woolls repeatedly harassed the victims as they walked past City Hall after eating dinner in Old Town. He cursed at Wamique Futuri when he learned that Futuri was from Afghanistan and repeatedly threatened to physically harm him and his companions. As the victims entered their car, Woolls grabbed a long stick and banged on the car window and exterior until Futuri thought the windows would shatter. Woolls grabbed a brick and threw it through the rear passenger window where Malaythong Phommarath was seated.
Woolls told police that his only prejudice was foreigners. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 27.