An Iowa woman who told police she ran down a 14-year-old girl with her SUV because the victim was "a Mexican," has been charged with a hate crime in connection with a second incident that occurred shortly after the girl was struck.
Nicole Franklin, 42, of Des Moines, had already been charged with attempted murder after a Dec. 9th attack on a 14-year-old teenager in the suburb of Clive. The teen suffered a concussion and severe bruising in connection with the incident and had be hospitalized for two days. But on Sunday, Franklin was charged with assault in violation of individual rights and operating under the influence in connection with a second incident that occurred shortly after Clive police said she intentionally tried to run down the teenager.
After fleeing the scene, West Des Moines police said 15 minutes after leaving the scene of the attack, Franklin went to a convenience store where she is accused of throwing items at a clerk and directing racial epithets at him and other customers in the store. Franklin allegedly shoved an ice cream in her pocket and began eating a bag of potato chips she pulled off a shelf and didn't pay for. The incident report also indicated that Franklin went on to ask for $30 in gas and a bottle of liquor.
When the store employee began questioning her about the food items she'd grabbed from the store, Franklin allegedly became upset and began throwing items at him while yelling racial slurs.
Prosecutors charged Franklin with a hate crime, 5th degree theft and public intoxication.
Clive police say Franklin admitted to smoking methamphetamine earlier in the day before the incidents occurred.
Photo: Clive Police Department