Coakley files injunction against gay basher

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed an injunction against Eric Patten on Sept. 23 that prohibits him from violating the civil rights of the victims based on actual or perceived sexual orientation.

"Unprovoked attacks cannot and will not be tolerated in Massachusetts. These incidents not only affect the victims, but the community as a whole," Coakley said in a Sept. 23 statement. "Our office remains committed to enforcing the state's civil rights laws to protect residents and visitors to the Commonwealth."

The defendant, who is charged with the May 2009 verbal and physical assault of two women in Provincetown, whom he perceived to be lesbians, faces up to $10,000 in fines and ten years in prison for violating the injunction.

Patten approached the women while walking on a downtown street, shouting anti-gay epithets and slurs. As the women attempted to pass Patten, the defendant then began punching one of the victims and then slammed her into the window of a restaurant, shattering the window. The attack continued until police arrived.

Coakley's office is utilizing the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, commonly known as the hate crimes statute, in their prosecution of Patten.

Attorney General Coakley recently announced her intention to run for the late Senator Kennedy's seat.