Easton, Maryland -On Monday, September 8th, Sian Radaskiewiz-King, a transgender woman, was held with no bail after being charged with malicious destruction of property, using a hate symbol, defacing religious property and disturbing school operations at Sts. Peter and Paul Elementary School in Easton. Radaskiewiz-King committed the acts on September 5th. We reported on those incidents at the time:
Local Catholic Elementary School Target Of Transgender Graffiti Attack – The Easton Gazette
The bail hearing was filled with community members, many of whom were parents of children and school personnel who attend or work at the Catholic elementary school which was targeted. School Board Chair Peggy Wilson asked that the judge in the case, District Court Judge Karen Ketterman not approve King’s release. Many feel that King’s actions were inspired by the August 27th shooting as Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis which was committed by a transgender individual. The shooting killed two children and injured 18.
“Our fear is not the symbol itself, but the possibility of a copycat situation,” said Wilson.
The Delmarva Pride Center condemned the graffiti acts.
King’s public defender argued that King should be released on bond because the acts were not serious and the fact that this was King’s first offense. She said that King expressed remorse for her actions. King is a resident of Baltimore who was visiting family in Easton.
State’s Attorney Joe Coale disagreed, ” We don’t know if the defendant is capable of carrying out something worse. But, the state doesn’t want to find out.”
Ketterman agreed with Coale, stating that she is concerned for community safety, the location of the acts, and King’s documented mental health diagnoses which includes bipolar disorder and PTSD. “
“I don’t think the court has another choice,” Ketterman said. King was held on no bond and pending a complete mental health evaluation.
The trial is scheduled for October 28th.
-Jan Greenhawk
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