No hate crime charges filed against suspect in attack at Fresno’s ‘Porchfest’

By Yosi Yahoudai
Founder and Managing Partner

Friday, May 10, 2024 6:13AM

The man suspected of a violent attack on Pro-Palestinian supporters at a Fresno music festival has been charged but not for a hate crime.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The man suspected of a violent attack on Pro-Palestinian supporters at a Fresno music festival has been charged but not for a hate crime.

Francisco Samaniego is accused of attacking three women at the Tower District’s ‘Porch Fest’ event on April 27th.

The brutal altercation was caught on camera as punches were thrown.

Witnesses say Samaniego confronted the women for their Pro-Palestinian views.

But after reviewing the incident, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office did not file hate crime charges.

Prosecutors say since most of Samaniego’s comments were directed at Hamas, there is insufficient evidence to pursue hate crime charges under the law.

Samaniego faces charges of battery and second-degree robbery for grabbing and damaging a victim’s cell phone.

He’s out on bond and expected to appear in court-tomorrow morning.

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About the Author

Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.