Two men charged with hate crimes in separate assaults

Two people have been charged with hate crimes in two separate assaults against an Asian American woman and a Persian American man, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office.

Richard Hanford, 62, of Los Gatos is accused of striking an Asian American woman on a sidewalk on Oct. 5 and telling her, “This is America, (expletive)” while Davis Greenburg, 56, of Redwood City, allegedly spit at a 93-year-old Persian American man of San Jose and told him, “Go back to your (expletive) country,” according to authorities in a Tuesday news release.

Hanford and Greenburg were charged with misdemeanor hate crimes. Hanford, who was also charged with battery, will be arraigned Nov. 16 while Greenburg, who was also charged with assault, will be arraigned Dec. 6. They could both face prison time if convicted, officials said.

“Our community deeply values diversity, respects it, seeks it,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. “Intolerance is not an American ideal. In these cases, it is a crime.”

Hanford allegedly struck the Asian woman, who was walking her dog on a sidewalk on University Avenue, after he told her to move out of his way and she told him he could move around her, according to officials. Hanford is accused of hitting her twice in the face.

Greenburg, who is a salesman, is accused of spitting at the Persian American man after he knocked on his front door in San Jose, according to authorities. The man told Greenburg, “No English, my son will call you back” but then Greenburg allegedly kicked the screen door and told the man “Go back to your (expletive) country” before spitting in the man’s direction again and walking away.

The victim’s son overheard what happened and walked to the door to try to confront Greenburg but decided to call the authorities.