Federal judge upholds hate crime verdict for Dubuque man

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A bit of good news today.

A federal judge has rejected a man's motion for a new trial after he was convicted of a hate crime after a fight at a Dubuque bar.

U.S. District Court Judge Linda Reade on Wednesday denied a motion from Randy J. Metcalf seeking acquittal and a new trial. Metcalf, 40, was found guilty in March of committing a hate crime after a three-day jury trial.

Court documents state Metcalf was involved in a fight Jan. 12 at Northside Bar, 2776 Jackson St., where he severely injured Lamarr Sandridge, who is black.

Metcalf used racial slurs toward Sandridge and two white women with him prior to the fight, court documents said. Metcalf also showed off a swastika tattoo on his stomach to the bar owner and two acquaintances.

He's right where he needs to be, behind bars. Dubuque is better off without the likes of Metcalf running around.