Trenton man arrested, charged with hate crime

By Carrie A. Mizell

A Trenton man has been arrested and charged with allegedly committing a hate crime in downtown Newberry in early September.
William Dennis Bracewell, 37, of Trenton, was arrested by deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) and charged with aggravated battery that caused great bodily harm or disability along with a hate crime charge.
According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged attack occurred on the night of September 3 outside the Westend Package Bar, which is located on State Road 26 in Newberry.
ACSO deputies who responded to the 911-call found a 31-year-old Gainesville man lying in the parking lot after having been severely beaten.
Witnesses indicated that the man had been called gay while being punched in the face and kicked while lying on the ground. A beer bottle was also broken over the victim’s head.
ACSO deputies stated that the attack was unprovoked, which led to the hate crime charge.
At press time, Bracewell had posted a $50,000 bond and was therefore released from the Alachua County Jail.