The state of Indiana has dropped its charges against Billie R. Davis, the woman accused of stabbing a young Asian woman in the head, in order to expedite federal charges against her.
Davis is accused of stabbing an 18-year-old Asian American woman on a bus in Bloomington, Indiana, on January 11. Authorities say surveillance footage shows Davis stabbing the young woman seven times in the head.
According to 13 WTHR, Davis faced charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery when the assault poses a substantial risk of death and battery by means of a deadly weapon from the state of Indiana. The Bloomington Police Department believes Davis targeted the woman because she was Asian. She is therefore also facing federal hate crime charges, Fox59.
Chief deputy prosecuting attorney Jeffrey Kehr has filed a motion to dismiss the charges in order to expedite federal charges against Davis.
“The facts that form the basis of the federal charges are the same operative facts that form the basis of the charges here. As such, it is appropriate for these charges to be dismissed in order for the federal charges to proceed without delay,” the motion said, according to 13 WTHR.
According to CNN, Davis’ defense attorney claim that those who know Davis personally say she is not racist.
Davis was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 21 with her trial scheduled to begin on June 26. If she is convicted, she could face life in prison.
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.
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