2 charged with hate crime after allegedly defacing Black Lives Matter mural in California

Wednesday, July 8, 2020
MARTINEZ, Calif. -- Two Martinez, California residents are facing multiple charges after allegedly defacing a Black Lives Matter mural in front of the city's courthouse.

Tuesday, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office charged 42-year-old Nichole Anderson and 53-year-old David Nelson with three misdemeanor counts, including a hate crime.
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On Saturday, July 4, Anderson was caught on camera by a witness using black paint to cover up the mural, which was permitted by the city.

"Nelson directly aided in the alleged criminal conduct," officials said.

On July 1, a local Martinez resident applied for a permit to paint the Black Lives Matter temporary mural in downtown Martinez in front of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, according to the district attorney.
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The permit was approved by the City of Martinez and the painting was done on July 4.

WATCH: Video shows confrontation between artists, pair painting over BLM mural
Video shows confrontation over Black Lives Matter mural in Martinez
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