IOWA CITY, Iowa — Police say video proves no hate crime was committed during a series of fights that spilled out of an Iowa City bar in April.
Earlier in May, University of Iowa freshman Marcus Owens reported he was beaten by three white men yelling racial slurs in downtown Iowa City. Iowa City police investigated the incident that happened the night of April 30 as a hate crime.
Tuesday, Iowa City police released video and other evidence it says proves no hate crime took place, and instead Owens was a willing participant in several fights.
Police say the incident started as a fight at Eden Lounge and Nightclub on Iowa Ave in Iowa City. Owens was involved in that fight. Police say staff kicked Owens and others involved in the fight out of the bar. Police showed surveillance camera video showing Owens involved in two more fights in downtown Iowa City. Iowa City police say during one of those fights, the N-word was used but was not a motivating factor for any targeted attack on Owens.
Owens then walked home but later reported to a hospital for treatment of facial injuries. Two days later, Owens reported the assault to Iowa City police saying three men jumped him while yelling racial slurs at him.
Iowa City Police say after confronting the family with the video evidence, the family issued a statement apologizing for the incident and false report. Iowa City police declined to speculate what motivated Owens to make up the story.
Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness said Owens will not face charges for filing a false report, though she says the evidence would have supported charges. No one involved in the fights will be charged either, Lyness says that allows police to release the video evidence now and put the rumors and racial issues surrounding the incident to rest.
Lyness said one factor in deciding not to file false report charges was the family’s willingness to issue a public apology.
“Having that apology was an important thing because, as we said, the community was the victim in this case. And we have that apology now which wouldn’t have happened if we brought charges,” Lyness said.
Iowa City police declined to provide a cost of the investigation, saying a civil trial may be forthcoming.
However, there are no plans to seek reimbursement from the family.
Iowa City investigators said the original hate crime claims generated coverage around the country and even overseas.
They are not so sure the result of the investigation, and family apology, will get the same amount of attention.
