Could Michael Richards be prosecuted for using hate speech against the hecklers he verbally attacked?

Question

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/11/20/entertainment/e103819S31.DTL

"There are legal remedies, however, when hate speech crosses the line into threats and intimidation." ... "Both harassment and threats must be directed at specific individuals. Blanket statements expressing hatred of an ethnic, racial or religious group cannot be considered harassment, even if those statements cause emotional distress."
http://www.adl.org/internet/internet_law3.asp

I did watch the video. No, I don't think the racial rant was just Richards trying to be funny. I think he got very angry and responded to the hecklers with the epithets.

Companies and schools have rules prohibiting hate speech. I was curious whether the public had any legal remedies available. Thank you.

Cookie-Yes, someone called Richards a "cracker ***," but that was after he'd said the "n word" already several times, as well as the "fork" comment. (I'm going by what I saw on the video.)

"Can a hate crime be committed with words alone?
The use of bigoted and prejudiced language does not in and of itself violate hate crime laws. This type of offense is frequently classified as a bias incident. However, when words threaten violence, or when bias-motivated graffiti damages or destroys property, hate crime laws may apply."
http://www.partnersagainsthate.org/about_hate_crimes/faq.html#11

Answer 1

I sure hope not. There should never be any governmental interference in speech that is offensive or hate filled. Only when there is clear evidence that the speech is a direct threat towards an individual should the law be able to take any action. If people could be jailed for offending, we all would be wearing prison uniforms.

Answer 2

thinking the certainty that some rapid speaking criminal expert who heard with regard to the case on the information confident them that they a, ought to sue and b, had of venture of prevailing. Hecklers are something each performer has to handle each so often. in the event that they could't look after it then possibly they must be in a distinctive company. i'm not attempting to excuse what Richards did yet i did not hear his entire act. it ought to be that his overall performance earlier his outburst relatively sucked and he deserved to be heckled.

Answer 3

Oh brother..

He was doing schtick.. trying to act shocked that a n- was in the room. Obviously it didnt work, but watch the video. It was obviously an act. I hate the clueless people who think he was just calling him a n- almost as much as I hate racists.

Answer 4

The dick called one of the people a ****** and he belittled one of the audience members who where black so the man called Michael Richards a cracker ***!

Answer 5

I don't thnk so. What he said is freedom of speech, no matter how vile and idiotic it was. If folks aren't pleased with it, punish him with your pocket book - don't buy anything he advetises (if he does), don't watch his performances and ignore him as a person. Or forgive him for being an idiot.

Answer 6

"Hate" speech? WTH are you talking about??

The hecklers first threw racial slurs to him by calling him
"cracker a s s".....he just responded.

WTF would you do???

Answer 7

Yeah, he's a dick. His career will probably suffer. But if he's prosecuted in an actual court then this world really is run by *******.

Answer 8

He was on stage. He can just say it was all part of his act.

Answer 9

He can be sued for slander and foul conduct.

Answer 10

no, but his career is already finished.