White couple now charged with hunting down, killing black teen because of race

PORTLAND, OREGON -- A white couple accused of using a Jeep to purposely run into and kill a black teenager in August were charged Tuesday with a new crime: targeting the 19-year-old because of his race.

Russell Orlando Courtier, 38, and Colleen Catherine Hunt, 35, were indicted last month on charges of murder and hit-and-run driving in the Aug. 10 death of Larnell Malik Bruce Jr. of Vancouver.

But a grand jury on Monday went a step further by indicting Courtier and Hunt on charges of first- and second-degree intimidation, both hate crimes. The two appeared Tuesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court to be formally charged under the new indictment.

Police say Courtier, a convicted felon with a long rap sheet, scuffled with the teenager outside a Gresham 7-Eleven and moments later drove his Jeep into Bruce. Authorities believe Bruce was a stranger to Courtier and Hunt.

Read more: http://www.oregonlive.com/gresham/index.ssf/2016/09/white_couple_now_charged_with.html

Cross-posted in the African America Group.