Teen accused of hate crime waves preliminary hearing | News

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS)- A 17-year-old accused of a hate crime was back in court on Thursday.

Mercedes Ayers, 17, of Cape Girardeau waived her preliminary hearing.  

Her next court date is on September 24 at 9 a.m.

A Cape Girardeau woman says Ayers and two other kids pulled her from her home and beat her.

According to court records, the victim says Ayers yelled lesbian slurs at her during the attack.

She faces charges of third degree assault as a hate crime and burglary.

She bonded out of jail on August 22.

A judge had reduced her bond to $5,000 on several conditions including, that she use no drugs or alcohol, is home by 4:00 o'clock every day and that she stays away from her alleged victim.

Ayers' mother denies the allegations.

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