'Hate Crime' Attack Leads To Arrests

CRISFIELD, Md.- Crisfield police have arrested two people, in connection with that they're calling a 'hate crime'.

Crisfield police say that shortly after 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, officers responded to a reported assault at the Somers Cove Apartments (Housing Authority) for a vicious assault. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a victim bleeding profusely from the head and face.

An ambulance, was dispatched to the location of 64 Somers Cove Apartments and transported the victim to McCready Hospital for treatment. Due to the extent of his injuries, he was later transferred to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. The victim is currently listed in stable condition for treatment of fractures to the facial region, broken nose and stab and lacerations wounds to the head.

Police say an investigation revealed that the victim, a white male, was walking in front of 64 Somers Cove apartments when he was approached by two black males who allegedly told him, "We don't like white people or crackers." According to investigators, for no other apparent reason the suspects started beating the victim in the head and face, and then then began stabbing and cutting him in the head with a knife. Authorities say that during the attack, one of the suspects stated, "We got this white mother-expletive." Both suspects then fled the area before police arrived on the scene, according to investigators.

Police say an investigation led to the identity of both suspects. In the early morning hours of Sunday, Jan. 23, officers arrested one of the suspects, identified as 47-year-old William Jones,(photo left) of no fixed address. He was charged with attempted second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and hate crime. He is being held in the Somerset County Detention Center in lieu of $200,000 bond.

Police arrested the second suspect, 45-year-old Michael Eugene Tilghman (photo right) of 42 Somers Cove Apartments, Monday afternoon.

According to state records, both suspects are convicted felons.

A friend of the victim, Michele Simao says she saw the attack unfold, but doesn't think it was a hate crime.

"It was just a verbal confrontation at first, it wasn't like anyone went out looking for him specifically," Simao said. "Words were exchanged and one thing led to another."

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