Torrance man pleads not guilty in "Yes on Prop. 8" sign attack

By Denise Nix Staff Writer
dailybreeze.com
Article Launched: 10/29/2008 02:26:45 PM PDT

A man who allegedly used a "Yes on Prop. 8" sign to attack a homosexual man wearing a "No on Prop. 8" button in Torrance pleaded not guilty today to charges against him.

Joseph Storm, 23, was arraigned in Torrance Superior Court on a felony hate crime assault charge and a misdemeanor count of interfering with another's civil rights.

Storm made his first court appearance wearing a football jersey, a long and pointed goatee and colorful tattoos from his shaved head to his feet.

His attorney, Jose Medina, argued that Storm's bail should be reduced from $50,000 to $20,000, or that he should be released on his own recognizance.

Medina told Judge Thomas Sokolov that Storm has no significant criminal record, takes care of his grandmother and has a 2-year-old daughter.

Storm hopes to attend community college and has applied to the plumbers' union, Medina added.

Deputy District Attorney Laurie Blaustein successfully opposed any change in bail, based on Storm's criminal record.

It appears Storm had a warrant pending in a misdemeanor vandalism case and was on probation for driving without a license in 2005.

Storm was arrested Monday night on one of those warrants.

He is accused of attacking a 22-year-old acquaintance in the 2000 block of 230 th Street around 2 a.m. Sunday.

The unidentified victim told police that Storm used the "Yes on Prop. 8" lawn sign to hit him, then punched and choked him. During the attack, Storm called him a homosexual slur, prosecutors said.

The victim was treated at a hospital for a gash on his head, according to prosecutors.

Storm, however, told officers he was upset with the alleged victim because he threw the campaign sign in the street after holding up his middle finger at it.

Storm said the argument was about the victim littering, not Tuesday's ballot initiative that would prohibit same-sex marriage.

Outside of court, Medina told reporters that there is a dispute as to what really happened.

"I believe this is not what it appears," Medina said.

Medina said there was an altercation, but dismissed the allegation that it had anything to do with the state measure or civil rights.

"I believe, out of anger, some things have happened here," Medina added.

About four of Storm's friends or family members were in court, but they refused to speak to reporters.