The Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — A federal grand jury has filed more charges against two white men accused of torching a predominantly black Massachusetts church in response to President Barack Obama’s election.
Federal prosecutors said Thursday that 22-year-old Thomas Gleason Jr. and 25-year-old Michael Jacques now face additional charges of damaging religious property because of race, color or ethnic characteristics and using fire to commit a felony.
The two men and 22-year-old Benjamin Haskell have pleaded not guilty to federal charges they burned the Macedonia Church of God in Christ in Springfield hours after Obama was elected in November 2008. No additional charges were filed against Haskell.
Prosecutors say the Springfield residents were angry about Obama’s becoming the first black president.