By Heart of Illinois ABC
BLOOMINGTON – A motorcyclist charged with hate crimes for allegedly driving through a crowd of protesters in Downtown Bloomington last year is scheduled to stand trial next week.
A judge on Thursday ordered jury selection to start Monday for Marshall Blanchard, 22, of Bloomington.
Two people were injured after Blanchard allegedly drove his motorcycle through the crowd marching just after George Floyd died at the hands of a Minneapolis Police officer.
Local police said a 22-year old woman was hospitalized for serious, but non-life threatening injuries to her torso and legs. A 28-year old man was also treated at the hospital for arm injuries.
McLean County prosecutors filed eight hate crime charges against Blanchard. He faces 17 charges in all, including aggravated battery in a public space and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Blanchard was one of two people charged with hate crimes locally following last year’s protests.
Andrew Menssen, 32, was arrested on charges he threw a smoke canister into a crowd of protesters at the McLean County Law and Justice Center.
However, hate crime charges were dismissed against Menssen in return for his guilty plea to reckless conduct and child endangerment. Court records say Menssen was sentenced to 156 days in jail.
A judge on Thursday ordered jury selection to start Monday for Marshall Blanchard, 22, of Bloomington.
Two people were injured after Blanchard allegedly drove his motorcycle through the crowd marching just after George Floyd died at the hands of a Minneapolis Police officer.
Local police said a 22-year old woman was hospitalized for serious, but non-life threatening injuries to her torso and legs. A 28-year old man was also treated at the hospital for arm injuries.
McLean County prosecutors filed eight hate crime charges against Blanchard. He faces 17 charges in all, including aggravated battery in a public space and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Blanchard was one of two people charged with hate crimes locally following last year’s protests.
Andrew Menssen, 32, was arrested on charges he threw a smoke canister into a crowd of protesters at the McLean County Law and Justice Center.
However, hate crime charges were dismissed against Menssen in return for his guilty plea to reckless conduct and child endangerment. Court records say Menssen was sentenced to 156 days in jail.
Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected].
