Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — As detectives continued to follow leads in the severe beating of a gay man in what may have been a hate crime, Salt Lake City's police chief was expected to return to the club where the alleged attack occurred.
Dane Hall, 20, was leaving Club Sound, 579 W. 200 South, late on Aug. 26 when he was viciously attacked. Hall lost six teeth, suffered a broken jaw in multiple places and a piece of broken bone was shoved into his brain when his attackers "curbed" or "curb stomped" him.
Curbing is a term used when a victim is forced to lie down and place their open mouth over a street curb, as if trying to bite the curb. The attacker then stomps on kicks the back of the victim's head.
The incident sparked outrage among the gay community as the attacks were believed to be been prompted by Hall's sexual orientation.
Hall, who is openly gay, was at Club Sound on a known gay-themed night. His attackers reportedly used gay slurs during the vicious beating.
The chief was there to make sure they knew we were working the case. But also to let them know we need their help.
–Sgt. Shawn Josephson
Last Friday, Salt Lake Police Chief Chris Burbank went to Club Sound from about 10 p.m. until midnight to answer questions and let the club patrons know detectives were still actively working the case. He also asked the crowd for any help they could provide in providing possible leads.
Hall remembers very little about a possible description of his assailants.
"The chief was there to make sure they knew we were working the case. But also to let them know we need their help," said Salt Lake Police Sgt. Shawn Josephson.
Burbank got on the stage at Club Sound to address the crowd. He plans to return to not only that club this weekend, but other clubs in the area as well. Josephson said it's part of the chief's outreach program for all the clubs in the area.
Along with Burbank, the executive director of the Utah Pride Center, Valerie Larabee, was at Club Sound along with Jim Debakis, chairman of the Utah State Democratic Party.
Tuesday, the Q Business Alliance announced a fund for providing reward money for information leading to an arrest in any hate-motivated crime directed at members of the LGBT community.
Support continued to flow in for Hall Wednesday.
A benefit from the Utah theater community was scheduled for Wednesday evening at Club Jam, 751 N. 300 West, to help Hall and raise awareness of the issue. A fund is also available at all Zions Banks to help Hall and his medical expenses.
Email: preavy@ksl.com
