Civil Rights Complaint Stemming From Assault

The Maine attorney general is filing a civil rights complaint against two brothers who were charged in what police say was a racially-motivated assault.

Police say 35-year-old Charles Bean Jr. and 30-year-old Benjamin Bean, both of New Gloucester, were arrested April 19 after a fight with 33-year-old Antonio Byars. Police say the Beans, who are white, singled out Byars, who is black, and used racial slurs while threatening to kill him. The brothers face charges of assault and interference with constitutional and civil rights.

Maine Attorney General Janet Mills says she is also seeking an injunction under the Maine Civil Rights Act to permanently prevent the Bean brothers from contacting Byars and his family.

Attempts to reach the Bean brothers have not been successful and family members declined to comment.