Colorado Women Fake Hate Crime, Lesbians Arrested
A lesbian couple in Colorado is facing serious charges after the supposed hate crime they were reportedly victims of turned out to be a complete fabrication.
The lesbians claimed to be victims of a hate crime last year after several derogatory messages were plastered across their car and home. They have now been accused of concocting the elaborate hoax.
Aimee Whitchurch, 37, and Christel Conklin, 29, last October called police to report that someone had vandalized their home and car after they found the phrase "Kill the Gay" spray-painted across their property. They also claimed that the person had left a noose on their doorstep, according to KDVR.
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The couple was living in a rented condominium in the city of Parker and suspected that the vandalism was in retaliation over disputes they were having with their Homeowner's Association over their dog.
Local media reports stated that the case was investigated by the FBI, who questioned the couple over their claims.
The two women were tested by federal agents to see whether they had spray paint residue on their palms. The women also were asked to take a lie detector test, but declined, KDVR reported.
Authorities later determined that the women were responsible for the spray painted words.
"Through the investigation and from witness statements, it was determined that allegations of the incident were false," said Douglas County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Cocha Hedyen.
"Detectives were able to determine that the two women involved were responsible for the words that were spray painted on the garage and the placement of the noose on their own front door."
Whitchurch faces two counts of criminal mischief, one count of forgery and one count of false reporting. She was expected to surrender to authorities this week, Heyden said.
Conklin was in custody facing two counts of criminal mischief and one count of false reporting.
