3 identified in suspected East Chattanooga hate crime

photo Pictures of Terrance Eberhardt before and after an assault on Sept. 22 in East Chattanooga.

Terrance Eberhardt couldn't talk Monday afternoon. His mouth was wired shut.

Eberhardt, who graduated from Howard High School in May, was assaulted on the night of Sept. 22 by several men; three of which have been charged with aggravated assault classified as a hate crime by Chattanooga police.

The assault -- which occurred under street lights outside the East Chattanooga Recreation Center shortly after midnight -- left Eberhardt with a shattered jaw and the need to have reconstructive surgery on his gums. The surgery involved two metal plates being placed in his mouth and his mouth being wired shut for six weeks.

Through written correspondence, Eberhardt said he did not know the men who assaulted him, nor did he expect to be assaulted when he gathered with people outside the rec center to watch a fight take place between a few girls.

"I was the only gay guy out there," Eberhardt related, and he believes that is why he was assaulted.

"I wasn't bothering nobody," Eberhardt said. "I feel like people could have helped."

As the men beat him -- in front of a small crowd -- they shouted several different gay slurs, he said.

So far, only three 18-year-old black men have been charged in relation to the crime, though Eberhardt said that there were more who participated in his beating.

Christopher "Binky" Woodard, Logan Odom, and Damonya "Montae" Battle, all Chattanooga locals, are accused of aggravated assault and are set to appear in court on separate dates in early October.

The men's affidavits cite that one of them had a black handgun, and Eberhardt said that the man identified as "Montae" pulled a gun while Odom searched him prior to the assault.

Eberhardt said he felt his life was threatened that night and continues to fear retaliation, identifying the three men who have been charged as active gang members.

"People in Chattanooga should support gay people because we are already not accepted in the real world," Eberhardt said. "I just want everyone to stand by my side and help me get justice."

Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6592.

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