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(KSL News) An Orem man says he was beaten up because he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Now he may become a test case for Utah's new hate-crime law.
The 21-year-old man says an 18-year-old harassed him about the LDS Church, then beat him with a baseball bat last Saturday in Pleasant Grove.
The 18-year-old was arrested for investigation of aggravated assault.
During the 2006 legislative session, Utah lawmakers passed a bill giving prosecutors and courts the abilty to punish hate crimes.
The Deputy Utah County Attorney says this may be the first crime the state could pursue under the new statute.
