A man accused of attacking a Sikh Metro bus driver in Inglewood while shouting racial slurs pleaded not guilty Thursday to a hate crime.
KC Tard Jr., 34, was charged Wednesday with a felony count of battery with injury on transit personnel, with an allegation that the offense was a hate crime, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Tard allegedly attacked Balwinder Jit Singh on Nov. 6 near Crenshaw and Manchester boulevards. He allegedly shouted at Singh when he boarded the bus, accusing him of hijacking the vehicle and calling him a “terrorist” and a “suicide bomber.”
When he exited the bus, he allegedly punched the driver repeatedly in the face.
Tard faces up to six years in prison if convicted, according to prosecutors. He is being held in lieu of $45,000 bail, and is due back in an Inglewood courtroom March 15.
Metro spokesman Rick Jager said the driver is still with Metro, “but on a paid leave status at this time.”
“This was an unfortunate incident that occurred and Metro has been cooperating with the (sheriff’s department) in their investigation,” he said.
—City News Service