Police Arrest Black Man For Burning African American Church In Mississippi After Spray Painting “Vote Trump”

On the heels of the hoax by a Muslim college students who claimed to have been attacked by Trump supporters, Mississippi police have arrested Andrew McClinton, 45, an African American man who allegedly spray painted “Vote Trump” on his own church and then burned it down.

Greenville police accused McClinton for setting Hopewell Baptist Church on fire. He is now charged with one count of first degree arson of a place of worship.

Hopewell Bishop Clarence Green said that McClinton is a member of the congregation.

Greenville Mayor Erick Simmons called the fire a hate crime, but the question is whether it would still be defined as a hate crime if set by an African American. If so, what is the difference between that and other intentional arson?