Growing doubt in Chattanooga hate crime case

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee(WDEF) – Three suspects who were involved in what has been called a hate crime against a gay Chattanooga man were in court Friday morning.

Christopher Woodard, Damonte Battle and Logan Odem appeared with their attorney’s to discuss their case.

All three men are accused of beatingTerrance Eberhardt, 19, of Chattanooga because he’s gay. But Woodard’s attorney Bill Speek says there is overwhelming evidence including cell phone video that negates that accusation.

"There is. It was originally reported that it was a hate crime. I think the evidence we got in this case makes it clear that there was no targeting of anybody because of their sexual orientation," Speek said.

Eberhardt did not attend the hearing, but WDEF had the opportunity to talk to him days after the alleged attack.

"The reason why I was beaten because I was gay. While the guys were beating me they were calling me all kinds of names like gay and faggot. The guy Monte, was the one who had hit me with the gun," said Eberhardt.

But according to defense attorney Speek and several people close to Eberhardt who have secretly contacted WDEF,  the incident was merely a fight involving multiple people inside the East Chattanooga Recreation parking lot.

"We knew about the situation very early on. We knew there was going to be a fundamental issue about the facts in this case. We also had a lot of information and history about the alleged victim in this case," Speek said.

On the day Eberhardt spoke to WDEF about his alleged attack, gay advocate D’Angelo Davis stood by his side to make the public aware of unreported attacks on gays in Chattanooga. But now Davis finds himself on the fence about what actually happened.

"I support Terrance 100-percent because I all for the gays. We are targeted so much so I’m rooting for Terrance. But if this wasn’t the case or matter that it was a gay situation then Terrance needs to come forth and say it. Because these boys are in jail for nothing if that’s the case. They’re sitting in jail for nothing," Davis said.

All three defendants are facing assault charges under the umbrella of a hate crime.