An Indiana appeals court has upheld the conviction of Trenton Whitaker-Blakey, who was found guilty of felony intimidation for racially intimidating a Black police officer in a January encounter that invoked chilling images of racial violence. The court unanimously rejected Whitaker-Blakey’s appeal, affirming his 30-month prison sentence and condemning his actions as a clear threat motivated by racial hatred.
The incident occurred on January 18 in Muncie, Indiana, when the officer, dressed in professional attire with her badge and gun visible, was confronted by Whitaker-Blakey. He emerged from behind a parked police car wearing a white hood with cut-out eye holes, which the officer testified resembled a Ku Klux Klan hood, and directed the racial slur “n****r” at her. Surveillance footage and Whitaker-Blakey’s subsequent confession confirmed the details, though he claimed the hood was a pillowcase used for warmth and that the slur was not directed at the officer.
The officer’s testimony during the trial underscored the psychological impact of the encounter. She described how the hood immediately brought to mind the violence and terror associated with lynchings, murders, and assaults against Black individuals throughout history. Judge Douglas Mawhorr emphasized this perspective at sentencing, stating that Whitaker-Blakey’s actions were intended to instill fear and force the officer into a defensive posture. “That’s why it was a threat,” Mawhorr said, rejecting Whitaker-Blakey’s explanations.
The appeals court echoed this interpretation, firmly rejecting Whitaker-Blakey’s argument of insufficient evidence. The court’s written decision highlighted the enduring power of racial slurs to inflict harm, noting, “The use of such a racial slur ‘flows from the fountain of purpose to injure.’” The ruling solidified the stance that hate-motivated threats against individuals performing their public duties have no legal or moral justification.
Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman praised the decision, describing the case as “very disturbing” and reaffirming the importance of holding individuals accountable for acts of bigotry and hatred. “Bigotry, hatred, and intolerance have no place in our society,” Hoffman stated, underscoring the broader implications of the ruling in combating systemic racism and protecting public servants from racial intimidation.
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