DETROIT – A man from Texas has been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to a violent hate crime in Detroit.
Background: ‘It ended in shambles’: Birthday celebration turns violent in alleged hate crime outside Detroit casino
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It happened in July 2025 in front of MGM Casino in Detroit. A group returning to retrieve their car, which included two gay couples, was reportedly approached by two drunk men. One of the men, identified as William Wilson, allegedly shouted homophobic slurs before physically assaulting them.
One woman was knocked unconscious after being repeatedly punched. A witness told Local 4 that he had struck her, causing her to fall to the ground and when she tried to get back up, he knocked her out and continued to hit her while she was unconscious.
Wilson was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm, aggravated assault, two counts of assault and battery and four counts of hate crime -- use of force causing bodily injury.
He was released on bond.
In January 2026, Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of hate crime causing bodily injury and attempted assault with a dangerous weapon.
The remaining seven charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. On Tuesday, March 17, Wilson was sentenced to two years probation.