Teen charged in beating of gay woman

A young woman in Alabama was beaten Thanksgiving night by her girlfriend’s brother because she’s gay, according to her family. NBC affiliate Local 15 reported that Travis Hawkins, Jr., 18, was charged with 2nd degree assault for the beating of Mallory Owens, 23. Owens’ sister Avery Godwin told the media outlet that Hawkins had “never liked Mallory” because his sister Alex is in a relationship with her and called it a hate crime.