Hosea Matavao Accused of Attacking Interracial Couple

Don't you just hate hate crimes?

​A 48-year-old man pled not guilty today to charges of attacking an interracial couple earlier this week. Hosea Matavao, was taken to jail Wednesday after he allegedly made a racially derogatory comment to the couple as they walked with their 3-year-old and 20-month-old children at the Civic Center Farmer's Market.

When the mother responded to the comment, Matavao, a transient, allegedly punched her in the face multiple times. The woman tried to defend herself, but he continued attacking her until the woman's husband intervened.

The husband then became the suspect's target; he, too, was punched in the face, according to police.

The mother tried to walk away with her kids in the stroller, but Matavao allegedly followed her and kicked a tarp onto the stroller, which hit the top of the 3-year-old's head. Another witnessed tried to intervene, but was also punched in the face by the suspect.

Two security guards at the Farmer's Market were called over and took Matavao into custody. He was charged with three counts of battery, child endangerment, and a hate crime.

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