WIBC – Gov. Eric Holcomb said Monday he would support a hate crimes law in Indiana.

The push for a hate crimes bill in the state legislature for the upcoming session has gained more steam after Nazi symbols were spray painted on a building owned by the Shaarey Tefilla synagogue in Carmel.

“No law can stop evil, but we should be clear that our state stands with the victims and their voices will not be silenced,” Holcomb said in a prepared statement. “For that reason, it is my intent that we get something done this next legislative session.”

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Both the House and Senate Republican leadership have expressed support to work on hate crimes-related legislation next session…

Incoming Senate President Pro Tempore Rod Bray

  • “The acts of hate committed against Congregation Shaarey Tefilla are despicable. It is unacceptable that some individuals chose to hide their faces while spewing hate and intimidation against a group of people because of their genuine and heartfelt faith, beliefs and ideology.  “Over the past few years, my colleagues and I have worked to craft legislation that mirrors our Hoosier hospitality. I am pleased to collaborate with Gov. Holcomb and my colleagues in the House of Representatives to continue that work.”

House Speaker Brian Bosma

  • “The recent vandalism at the Congregation Shaarey Tefilla in Carmel is sickening, disheartening and unacceptable. It is my hope that the perpetrators will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We need to continue to support our neighbors as no one should live in fear – especially at their house of worship.  “This summer, the Interim Study Committee on Corrections and Criminal Code will take another look at the issue of bias-motivated crimes and identify opportunities for legislative consensus. Indiana judges already have the ability to enhance sentences based on a criminal’s motivation when presented with evidence of bias, but perhaps more needs to be done to clarify and highlight this existing provision.”