We mentioned it briefly at the end of the day yesterday, but more details are available about the charges against a Georgetown University student accused of committing a hate crime against another student in September, which were dropped by the U.S. Attorney’s office due to a lack of evidence.

The victim, who today remains unidentified in news reports, said he was followed September 9 by two men who yelled homophobic slurs at him; one of them ultimately tackled and began beating him just off campus on 36th Street NW, between O and P streets. The victim was treated at GU Hospital for cuts and bruises on his face and a broken thumb.

D.C. police arrested sophomore Philip Cooney on an assault charge on September 27. The victim identified Cooney on Facebook based on information passed onto him by a friend.

After the arrest, the U.S. Attorney’s office designated the charge as bias related, or in other words, a hate crime, but withdrew that designation several weeks ago, according to the Washington Blade. Now, the simple assault charge has been dropped as well. In a statement, U.S. Attorney’s office spokesperson Channing Phillips said, “After further investigation of this matter, we concluded that there was insufficient evidence to obtain a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Nearly three weeks passed before GU students were notified of the crime. The delay led students to hold protests including one on October 11 – National Coming Out Day. Later that month, GU President John DeGioia announced the school would have a dedicated LGBTQ resource center by next fall. A February 8 report in the Hoya, GU’s campus newspaper, indicates the project is moving forward.

Photo by Ronnie R.