2 men face charges in explosion of LGBT newspaper box

SALEM, Mass. (AP) – Two men from New Hampshire will be charged in the explosion of a news box for an LGBT newspaper in Massachusetts.

The Salem News reports that 23-year-old John Richard of Holliston, New Hampshire, and 20-year-old Lawrence Gilman of Milford, New Hampshire, have been summoned to Salem District Court on Oct. 21 facing charges related to property damage and placing an incendiary device.

The two are not being charged with a hate crime in the Aug. 23 explosion that destroyed a Salem news box for the Rainbow Times, which markets to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Police say they don’t believe the men targeted the box because of any bias.

The newspaper’s publisher issued a statement thanking police and saying the newspaper and LGBT community are stronger than ever.

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