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A 47-year-old woman appeared in court on Sunday, facing charges of a hate crime after a video went viral showing her pepper-spraying four Asian women in Manhattan, Your Content has learned.
The incident, which occurred last week, gained significant attention as it captured the suspect, identified as Madeline Barker, hurling racial insults at the victims, including the phrase, “Go back to where you came from, you don’t belong here!”
During her initial court appearance on Saturday, Barker, who hails from Florida, was deemed a potential flight risk and was ordered to be held on $20,000 bail.
Prosecutors argued for this measure, pointing out that she had not turned herself in and was apprehended later.
The defense, represented by Barker’s Legal Aid Counsel, raised concerns about the media coverage, claiming it had unfairly impacted the case.
Judge Eric Schumacher, presiding over the hearing, set the bail at $20,000 cash and $20,000 partially secure bond. Barker now faces assault charges as a hate crime, according to The Washington Post.
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