rick suhr

The amendment to RSA 354 is entirely subjective and allows any perpetrator of a such an act to avoid prosecution under the statute by framing their animosity as fear, disgust or a requirement of their religion, thereby avoiding the appearance of hostility. Further, any degree of motivation for a crime that is based on protected characteristics should be prosecuted under such a statute; the addition of "substantially" simply adds another avenue for the avoidance of consequences.