Petaluma Man Convicted In October Novato Hate Crime

NOVATO, CA — A jury convicted recently handed down a hate crime conviction for an October incident, where prosecutors said a man attacked a Black woman's car and hurled racial slurs in the parking lot of the Novato Fair Shopping Center.

Police arrested Robert Lynn Thorne, of Petaluma, within two hours of the crime. A jury found him guilty of the misdemeanor charge at Marin County Superior Court, carrying a sentence of 80 days in jail, one year of probation, 15 hours of volunteer work and $270 in fines.

Hate crime investigators helped trial attorneys prove that Thorne committed vandalism "due to the defendant's bis or hatred of the victim due to her race in violation of her civil rights."

"Hate crimes harm not only the victim but also our community," said Lori Frugoli, the Marin County District Attorney. "We thank the victim for standing up and reporting this crime to the Novato Police Department. We thank the jury for their jury service and for returning a guilty verdict on this disturbing and harmful crime."

Thorne's conviction came one day before Frugoli testified before a state Senate committee, asking lawmakers to grant more freedom to issue search warrants related to hate crime investigations.