Washington Man Sentenced for Antigay Attack in Seattle

Troy Deacon Burns, 38, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for yelling antigay slurs and threatening to stab three Seattle gay men, according to Reuters. Burns, who claims he doesn't remember his actions that night, was charged under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Burns pleaded guilty in early August and claimed he was drunk and on drugs at the time of the attack. According to the Justice Department, he approached three gay men in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood and started yelling homophobic slurs while holding a knife above his head in a stabbing position.

When the men ran, Burns gave chase and caught one of the victims. He continued to threaten to stab the man while yelling slurs. While one of the other victims returned to rescue the man Burns had cornered, the third ran to get help from police.

Officers arrested Burns at the scene. He continued to yell antigay slurs while inside the police vehicle. No one was injured in the incident.

"No one should have to fear attack because of their sexual orientation when they walk down the streets of the cities and towns in Western Washington," said U.S. Attorney Annette Hayes.