Deputy Attorney General Jane E. Young announces that on March 29, the Rockingham County Superior Court found that John Doran, age 62, of Seabrook, violated the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act, RSA chapter 354-B.
Following an evidentiary hearing on March 17, the court found that on July 29, 2020, Mr. Doran threatened physical force against the victim and the victim’s family when he raised and pointed a gas hose in the victim’s direction and stated “get back n—– or I’ll f—‘g burn you! Go back to Africa,” after the victim and the victim’s family stopped to address Mr. Doran for shouting racial slurs at them at the Valero gas station in Seabrook.
The court concluded that this conduct was motivated by animus towards the victim’s race and had the purpose to terrorize or coerce the victim and the victim’s family.
Because the trial court found that Mr. Doran violated the Civil Rights Act, the court enjoined Mr. Doran from further violations of the Civil Rights Act, RSA 354-B:1, from contacting the victim and the victim’s family, and from knowingly coming within 250 feet of the victim.
The trial court also imposed a $5,000 civil penalty to be paid within 30 days of the order. A violation of the terms of the injunction may subject Mr. Doran to future civil and/or criminal penalties to include fines or incarceration. The court’s order shall remain in effect for three years but may be extended by order of the court upon motion of the Attorney General.
Assistant Attorney General Sean R. Locke of the Civil Rights Unit prosecuted this case.
The Civil Rights Unit enforces state and federal civil rights laws, including the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act and the New Hampshire Law Against Discrimination. Anyone who believes their civil rights may have been violated may file a complaint at https://www.doj.nh.gov/civil-rights/index.htm or by calling 603-271-3650.