The alleged victim of a homophobic attack in downtown Vancouver is denying he falsely accused a pair of Richmond brothers of "gay bashing," court heard Wednesday.
Peter Regier told the court he and his partner David Holtzman were subjected to a "barrage of homophobia" before brothers Parminder Singh Peter Bassi and Ravinder Robbie Bassi allegedly beat the gay couple.
Holtzman and Regier suffered concussions, cuts and bruises in an assault on June 12, 2010.
The brothers have pleaded not guilty to charges of assault causing bodily harm.
Regier said he suffered headaches for about six weeks after the attack, and feared a repeat attack would occur in his neighbourhood.
In cross-examination, Ravinder Bassi's lawyer, David Baker, noted that Regier gave a number of statements to the media following the attack, in which he alleged it was a "gaybashing" case.
Baker asked why Regier never mentioned in media interviews that he had been taking photographs of the man (allegedly Ravinder Bassi) who was urinating on the building, who then objected to the action and responded.
"You didn't mention the pictures because it didn't fit" the accusation of gay bashing, Baker suggested.
Baker said gay bashing entails a suspect who "sets out to find" homosexuals.
"No, I think it is broader than that," Regier said. "I don't think you have to leave your home with a pitchfork and say, 'I'm going to find some homos.'"
The trial is expected to continue for three more days.
On Tuesday, the court saw security camera footage in which a man alleged to be Ravinder Bassi is seen facing a wall, and then suddenly charging towards two men in a shadowed area.
An apparent attack lasts about 30 seconds and a second man, alleged to be Parminder Bassi, joins the commotion. Images of the alleged assault are not clear.
Hate crimes carry stiffer penalties than the common charges they are attached to, and judges eventually rule whether hate is a motivating factor, in sentencing.
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