REPORT: Accused Seattle Gay Nightclub Arsonist Was "Provoked" By Gay-Baiting

The Seattle man awaiting trial for the New Year's Eve arson of a crowded gay nightclub may have been provoked by an email which taunted him to have gay sex. Police say the email strengthens the likelihood of hate crime charges. Via local television:

KIRO 7 has uncovered new evidence against Musab Masmari, who told a friend about his "distaste for homosexuals" shortly before he was charged in the New Year's Eve fire at Neighbours Nightclub. The email was sent by someone who signed it "your slave john." According to new police documents filed in King County Superior Court, "john" offered to polish Masmari's shoes using his tongue. The sender also propositioned Masmari, writing, “You can order me to do what you want me to do," and, "Can I have a chance?" Investigators with the Seattle Police Department believe the email was written by someone who knew about Masmari's self-admitted "distaste for homosexuals” and call the email "evidence pertinent to hate crime." Three days after the email was sent to Masmari, Neighbours Nightclub was torched on a busy New Year’s Eve with hundreds of people inside.

In February court documents revealed that Masmari had once declared to a friend that "homosexuals should be exterminated." So far Masmari has only been charged with a single count of arson. Local activists are outraged, saying that the charges should include 750+ counts of attempted murder. Masmari was apprehended as he attempted to flee the country on a one-way ticket to Turkey. He has pleaded not guilty to the arson charge and his trial is scheduled to begin on May 29th.