barrett

A Texas man who filmed himself knocking out a 79-year-old black man has been charged with one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Conrad Alvin Barrett, 27, appeared in court today for the crime, believed to be a “Knockout” assault. Knockout is a violent game in which the assailant aims to “knock out an unsuspecting victim with one blow.

Until this point, the violent game has primarily been covered from the perspective of black teens attacking innocent whites.

From CNN:

According to the federal complaint, Barrett attacked the 79-year-old man “because of the man’s race and color.”

The suspect made a video of the attack November 24, the complaint said. In the video, he allegedly commented that “the plan is to see if I were to hit a black person, would this be nationally televised?”

Read more at CNN

Authorities say Barrett then allegedly hit the elderly man with such force that he immediately fell to the ground. The tape then reveals Barrett laughing and saying the words ‘knockout’ as he fled the scene.

The victim suffered two jaw fractures and was hospitalized for several days. Barrett’s lawyers claims that he suffered from bipolar disorder and takes medication for the illness.

Thoughts on the incident?

Should Barrett be charged with a hate crime in addition to assault?

Sound off below!