IF IT WEREN’T FOR FAKE HATE CRIMES, WOULD WE HAVE ANY HATE CRIMES AT ALL? University of Iowa student’s family recants claims of hate crime.

Marcus Owens, the black University of Iowa student whose family claimed he was the victim of a hate crime and racial slurs at the hands of three white men, has issued a public apology after an Iowa City police investigation showed him to be involved in three fights during the hours the assault was alleged to have occurred.

“Upon learning more details of the case, and while racial slurs served to fuel the violence, Marcus now knows that his account of events was inconsistent with police findings,” a statement from Owens and his family reads, “in part due to alcohol being involved, his embarrassment at his behavior, as well as injuries he sustained.” . . .

Owens originally reported to Iowa City police on May 2 that he had been assaulted by three white men in the alley way of the 200 block of Iowa Avenue on April 30. Owens told police the attack happened between 10 and 11 p.m. Owens suffered several injuries, including broken teeth, during the fight.

Iowa City police began their investigation into Owens’ allegations on May 2. Investigators were able to interview multiple witnesses and used video surveillance footage to piece together what took place. . . .

Multiple witnesses told police Owens was worried about how he would explain his injuries to his family.

Evergreen.