Woman convicted of hate crime in neighbor dispute

MISSOULA — A Missoula woman is facing at least two years in prison for a racially motivated assault against her black neighbor.

The Missoulian reports that Susan Ann Lafriniere was found guilty on Thursday of racially motivated assault. Although assault is a misdemeanor charge, an enhancement because it was based on race carries a felony-level punishment.

According to court records, the victim was outside his house in September 2013 when he saw Lafriniere yelling at a woman and her daughter. The victim came to the other peoples’ defense and Lafriniere called him a racial slur multiple times while making rude gestures.

The victim secured a restraining order against Lafriniere, but says she continued to accost him. He filed assault charges.

Lafriniere will be sentenced April 22.