Standing Watch

Lindsay Harmon

Buffalo, NY, Jan 22, 2010: Suzanne-Deanna Grover, 21, formerly of Laird Avenue and Gorton Street in the city, is charged with second-degree assault and a bias-motivated crime, according to police records.  The charges stem from the stabbing in the eye of Lindsay C. Harmon, 29, outside a Main Street nightclub.

The hate-crime part of the charge elevates the assault charge from a Class D felony to a Class C felony, Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III said.  “There was an allegation that there were anti-gay epithets or slanders uttered [against Harmon] before or during the alleged assault,” the district attorney explained.

The arrest papers filed against Grover say that “the defendant intentionally selected Lindsay Harmon because of a belief or perception regarding Lindsay Harmon’s sexual orientation.”  Sedita promised a grand-jury investigation, allowing the grand jury to concur with the current charges, file more serious or less serious charges or even dismiss the case.

The attack left Harmon with a severe cut to her right eyelid and eyeball.  “I have a long road ahead of me before I physically recover from this attack, but mentally I will never be the same again,” Harmon stated. “My life and the life for my family changed forever on New Year’s Eve.”  Harmon has regained some sight in the injured eye, but will have to endure several more surgeries during the healing process.  It is unknown if she will fully recover her vision.

Police sources two days earlier had claimed in the media that, despite anti-gay slurs being shouted by Grover directed at Harmon before and during the attack, there was no evidence of a hate crime.  The city mayor had confirmed that was the conclusion.