COLUMBUS, Ohio — A 21-year-old man who was accused of urinating on a pride flag and shouting homophobic remarks toward residents at a Columbus home earlier this year pleaded guilty to criminal trespass.
Trey Fetzer was initially charged with criminal mischief, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and ethnic intimidation — all misdemeanor charges.
On Feb. 8, surveillance video from the front porch of a home on Summit Street in the Weinland Park neighborhood showed two men approaching the front door. One of the men, later identified as Fetzer, pulled down his pants and urinated on the pride flag displayed on the porch. Fetzer then made homophobic remarks and banged on the door of the house before running away.
According to Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein, prosecutors consulted with the victims of the crime who wanted mitigation in the case.
In exchange for completing a list of "restorative justice actions," Fetzer only had to plea guilty to the criminal trespass charge, a misdemeanor. The other three charges, also misdemeanors, were dropped.
“In this case, victims came forward with a call for no jail time and an opportunity for restorative justice, and after consulting with them and defense counsel at every step in this process, city prosecutors offered a rigorous mitigation plan that balances criminal accountability with victim-centered justice," Klein said.
Over the last five months, Fetzer volunteered multiple service hours for Stonewall Cincinnati for its pride festival, attended lectures and classes with Stonewall Columbus and met additional requirements to be reinstated at Ohio State University.
Fetzer was fined $250 and given one year probation for the criminal trespass charge.
