Trial for accused Ames flag burner set for next Tuesday

  • Source: Ames Tribune
  • Published: 10/08/2019 08:08 PM

The Ames man accused of tearing down a pride banner down from Ames United Church of Christ and then setting it on fire is scheduled to go to trial next Tuesday. Adolfo Martinez, 30, was charged with third-degree arson — a hate crime — first-degree harassment, reckless use of fire or explosives and habitual offender, according to court records. The defendant was originally charged with criminal mischief, which is still pending in court, but because of evidence found by Story County's Attorney’s Office, they added the charges of third-degree arson and habitual offender, Story County Attorney Jessica Reynolds said. Some of the evidence used to enhance the charge included an interview with a local television network showed he was blatantly obvious about his opinion of the LGBTQ community, and he targeted the church, at Sixth Street and Kellogg Avenue, because of its support for the LGBTQ community and the banner's meaning.



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