Man Charged With Hate Crime Over Burning Cross in Chicago Park
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Merlin Lu, a 21-year-old former University of Illinois Chicago student, was arrested and charged with arson and hate crimes after a large burning cross was found in Grant Park, Chicago.
- Lu faces two felony hate crime charges, one felony count of damaging city property, and one felony count of arson related to the incident on June 9.
- Authorities say Lu constructed the cross himself, wrapped it in toilet paper, doused it with kerosene, and set it on fire, causing approximately $1,800 in damage to a tree.
- Evidence included a kerosene bottle cap found at the scene, which was linked to a purchase made by Lu at a Home Depot on May 31.
- Lu was granted pretrial release by a Cook County judge but is prohibited from purchasing fire-starting materials such as wood or kerosene.
