Former Wausau mayoral candidate charged with hate crime

WAUSAU, Wisconsin (WSAW) – A 29-year-old man who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in Wausau's spring primary election is charged with disturbing the peace in a hate crime.

Christopher Wood is free on $1,500 bail.

The charges stem from an interaction Wood allegedly had with three people at a gas station on Wausau's west side on May 12.

Court documents: State police responded to a report of a fight. When they arrived on the scene, they learned that a man was shouting racial slurs at people inside the store. The exchange was captured on cell phone video by a passerby and on the store's security cameras.

At around 8:40 p.m., police said, Wood was seen waiting in line to make a purchase. Three people enter the gas station and Wood gestures toward them. This portion of the video has no sound. About two minutes later, one of the people walks up to Wood and stops three feet in front of him. Wood approaches the person. Investigators said the body language appears aggressive. Two people try to get between Wood and the person. Wood is later seen talking to and yelling at several other people in the store.

Wood leaves the building without the items he intended to purchase and is caught by police during a traffic stop.

According to the police report, a video recorded by a witness shows Wood saying, “Stay away from black men, young lady. White babies are cute.”

A man replied, “What did you say? [expletive]?' Wood repeated, “I said white babies are cute.”

Then a woman says: “Are you serious?”

A woman's voice says, “There is enough hate in the world.” Wood reportedly said he said this on behalf of “the white race” and that he could “stand up for white women.”

Wood later says he is her eldest and calls him “young man.” A woman says, “Pay your [expletive] And go'.

When questioned by police a few days later, the three people said they did not know who Wood was and had never had any contact with him before that night. One of the people, a white man, said Wood said, “You're white, hug me. I like you.” Other comments included that black people are ruining the country.

Investigators said a hate crime modifier was recommended because Woods' alleged comments were based solely on a person's race.

Wood pleaded not guilty in court on Wednesday. A clerical hearing is scheduled for September 17.

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