Hate crime suspect deemed dangerous, held without bail

A Boston hate crime suspect has been warranted so dangerous that he is being held without bail pending trial after physically attacking two women and shouting homophobic slurs Jan. 13.

William Braxton, 51, is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, attempted robbery, violating a person's civil rights, and disorderly conduct.

During a Jan. 19 hearing, Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Corke introduced the testimony of a State trooper who witnessed the attack at about 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 13.

"While in his cruiser in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Washington Street, the trooper saw Braxton punch a 46-year-old Roxbury woman in the face, then kick her when she fell to the ground," read a statement released by the Suffolk County District Attorney's office. "The trooper also testified that he saw Braxton beat and kick a second woman, a 48-year-old Roxbury resident, who had been walking with the first victim.

"The trooper immediately turned his cruiser around and raced to assist the victims. He ordered Braxton to the ground and took him into custody. Boston Police also responded to the scene.

"The victims told the trooper that they had been holding hands as they walked down the street and that Braxton began screaming homophobic epithets at them. He also allegedly tried to grab a small sum of cash from one woman's hand. It was at about that time that he began punching and kicking them, prompting the trooper's response."

This is the second civil rights-based Suffolk County criminal proceeding in less than a week. Henry L. Alexander was arraigned on two counts each of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, violation of civil rights, and threats to commit a crime after allegedly striking two women with his cane and using homophobic slurs.