KING 5 News in Seattle reports today that a man has admitted to vandalizing a car because of the “hate symbol” displayed on it — a Donald Trump bumper sticker. However, Riley Siva pleaded not guilty this morning to a charge of malicious mischief, despite confessing to police at the scene of the crime.
Police say man confessed to vandalizing car w/ Donald Trump sticker, calling it a 'hate symbol' https://t.co/VFCm82JYx1 via @drewmikkelsenk5
— KING 5 News (@KING5Seattle) April 20, 2016
@KING5Seattle @drewmikkelsenk5 the irony of damaging car because it has a bumper sticker supporting someone the suspect feels is dangerous.
— Corey J Miller (@cjmiller1974) April 20, 2016
Gig Harbor PD says Riley Siva confessed to vandalizing a car w/@realDonaldTrump sticker, called it a "hate symbol." pic.twitter.com/5papyk5NZ5
— Drew Mikkelsen (@drewmikkelsenk5) April 20, 2016
Drew Mikkelsen reports that Siva told police he considered the Trump sticker on the bumper of a Ford Focus in Gig Harbor a hate symbol, and he was “improving the community” by slashing the car’s tires and pouring yogurt into the sunroof, causing an estimated $5,000 in damage.
GigHarbor man accused of vandalizing a car w/@realDonaldTrump bumper sticker. PD: man considered it a "hate symbol." pic.twitter.com/B9aSD060zO
— Drew Mikkelsen (@drewmikkelsenk5) April 20, 2016
Siva's charged w/malicious mischief. Tire slashed/yogurt dumped in sunroof. Car had @realDonaldTrump bumper sticker pic.twitter.com/TIkCENpWh1
— Drew Mikkelsen (@drewmikkelsenk5) April 20, 2016
Police say that Siva provided a written statement in which he claimed, “I do not expect the law to recognize damage to tools of hate or racism, such things need to be destroyed so good people may remain and become free.” The vandalism didn’t leave the car’s owner feeling very free — he says he still supports Trump but removed the bumper sticker because he shares the vehicle with his wife “and I don’t want to put her in any danger.”
Siva returns to court in May. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to serve a semester at Emory University and made to write “Emory stands for free expression” in sidewalk chalk 1,000 times.
