Orlando man in hate crime case gets probation and needs anger management

Terrence Clyne pleaded guilty to assault in Cook County court on Wednesday; the Cook County District Attorney's Office dropped the charge of an aggravated hate crime, court records show.

Orland Park police charged Clyne with a hate crime in January 2024 after a fight broke out over the placement of trash cans on Jan. 3. Clyne, 68, was charged with a hate crime and assault after he attacked a neighbor and his wife and made insults about their Palestinian heritage, police said. The altercation allegedly began after the victim moved trash cans from one area of ​​a public driveway to another, police said.

According to police, in response to the moving of the cans, Clyne made “hateful comments” about the victim's Palestinian heritage. Clyne then punched the man in the face, police said.

The victim's wife then approached the victim to verbally de-escalate the situation, at which point Clyne made further hateful comments toward her, mentioned her Palestinian heritage and “approached her in an aggressive manner,” according to police. According to officials, the male victim then stepped between Clyne and his wife and was again punched in the face and physically assaulted by Clyne, after which the male victim was pushed toward the female victim.

The Cook County District Attorney admitted two counts of assault, one for each victim, and one count of a hate crime.

Clyne was sentenced to one year of probation and 20 hours of community service, which he must complete by August 2025. He must also pay fines and refrain from all contact with the neighbor.

He must also attend anger management courses.